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.

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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."

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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."

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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.

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China ‘to spy on whole world’

Eyes in space... A satellite in orbit above the Earth. Picture: AP Source: AP

CHINA is considering a plan to cover the entire world with a network of surveillance satellites.

If it went ahead the plan could see more than 50 observation satellites in orbit within two years, The South China Morning Post reported. This would put the country's satellite surveillance capabilities on a par, or greater than, the US.

The paper said support for the massive upscale was fuelled by China's frustration over the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370.

After a three-week search satellites have been unable to locate for certain debris from the disappeared plane, which was carrying mainly Chinese passengers on a scheduled flight to Beijing.

Unidentified objects... Taken by a Thai satellite this image shows floating objects in the southern Indian Ocean. Experts have been unable to say if they belong to the missing Malaysian plane. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"If we had a global monitoring network today, we wouldn't be searching in the dark. We would have a much greater chance to find the plane and trace it to its final position," Professor Chi Tianhe, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, told the paper.

There are currently about 1000 satellites in orbit above the planet, though most are only for communications. Of these around 150 are for observation, remote-sensing and spying, according to statistics from the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists.

China's current satellite surveillance capabilities are a state secret, though most of them are thought to be carrying out surveillance over China and the surrounding region.

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Hugh in ‘Wolverine: The Musical’

Chords of steel ... Hugh Jackman has given Wolverine the "Les Miserable" treatment. Source: Supplied

AFTER being nominated for an Oscar for his performance as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, Hugh Jackman has given his other big role the musical treatment.

The Wolverine star appeared on BBC radio on Saturday, belting out a spoof of Les Mis' "Who Am I" as the clawed mutant from the X-Men movies.

In the parody version of the song, written by the BBC team, Jackman pokes fun at everything from his fitness regime (I'm at the gym doing weights each day/Hugh has got to look buff, they say) to wrestling with his identity as an actor (Am I a superhero with some claws?/Or just an actor searching for applause?/Wolverine has all the fans/But what about me Hugh Jackman?).

The 45-year-old appeared to enjoy the impromptu performance, chuckling through some of the cheesier lines and joking when he misses a high-note.

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Ricciardo’s grid penalty for Bahrain

Daniel Ricciardo has suffered heart-break for the second straight race, with an error in the pits ending his Malaysian Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo has been penalised 10 spots on the grid for the Bahrain GP next weekend. Source: Getty Images

RED Bull's Daniel Ricciardo has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for next weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix following a pit stop error that led to his retirement from the race in Malaysia.

The Australian received a stop-go penalty during the race for the unsafe release by his team after a pit stop when his front left wheel was not properly secured.

The Australian was lying fourth when he pitted with 15 laps to go, but after the tyre change had to stop in the pit lane and be pushed back by his mechanics for the wheel to be fixed.

Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull car is pushed back to the pit box at Sepang circuit by crew members. Source: Getty Images

He rejoined a lap down but then had to return to the pits with a broken front wing before he retired on lap 53 of the 56 laps. Team principal Christian Horner said the wing was probably damaged as a result of the faulty tyre change.

"It doesn't look like the car has got on the jack properly (at the pit stop)," he said.

"The front-left then didn't attach. We think the problem with the wing may well have been done on the front jack. We need to take a look at the video."

Ricciardo talks to a Red Bull Racing crew member before the start of the Malaysian GP. Source: Getty Images

The mishap was another setback for 24-year-old Ricciardo, who finished second at the Australian Grand Prix, only to be disqualified for a fuel-flow infringement. Red Bull has appealed the ruling.

But the Red Bull newcomer, who has succeeded fellow Australian Mark Webber alongside four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, has performed well in his first two races.

"He got stuck in at the start and he is a real quality act and I have been nothing but impressed with him since he arrived. I think there is a lot to come from him," Horner said.

Ricciardo's car gets a front nose change during the race. Source: Getty Images

Ricciardo said of the latest mishap: "I am disappointed, it was looking like we could have a solid points finish and I was starting to mix it up at the front but at the last pit stop there were all the problems so the race ended pretty quickly for me.

"Deep down I am really disappointed but there is a bit in me which is happy because I have come out how I wanted to in the first two races.

"I want to improve but there are things to be pleased with."

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‘Hand us the MH370 murderer’

Ten ships and as many aircraft search a swathe of the Indian Ocean west of Perth on Sunday for some trace of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, with some objects being spotted. Sarah Toms reports.

Lonely wait ... a woman, one of the relatives of Chinese passengers aboard the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 sits alone after attending a briefing by Malaysian officials at a hotel in Beijing. Source: AP

THE frustrating riddle of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 has further deepened, with planes and ships working the new search zone 1800km west of Perth failing yesterday to turn up any signs of the wreckage.

Searchers were unable to verify that objects seen in the location yesterday were debris from the missing airliner.

Items hauled aboard the Chinese vessel Haixun 01 and Australia's HMAS Success on Friday turned out to be sea junk.

The search has shifted 1100km north after calculations by international aviation experts working in Malaysia, who estimate based on radar data that MH370 flew faster and burned more fuel than previously thought.

In the absence of any other significant leads, the search not only presses on, it has intensified.

The naval support vessel Ocean Shield was expected to steam from Garden Island off Perth this morning for the search area, loaded with a towable pinger locator which is hoped may locate the plane's black box before its batteries expire in around seven days.

The ship also took aboard an autonomous underwater vehicle, or AUV, which will be programmed to search in patterns at depths between 2000m and 4000m.

Search aid ... an underwater search-surveying vehicle sits on the wharf in Perth ready to be fitted to the defence ship Ocean Shield to aid in her roll in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines plane. Source: AP

Captain Mark Matthews from the US Navy warned it took two years to locate the wreckage from the 2009 Air France disaster, even though they knew the approximate location where it went down.

As eight military ships, a transiting merchant vessel and 10 planes were tasked to work the new search zone yesterday, some 30 Chinese implacable family members of passengers on board MH370 arrived in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

They unfurled red and white banners in protest at what they claim is a lack of transparency and the truth from Malaysia.

"We want evidence, we want the truth, we want our family back," angry Chinese relatives chanted at an impromptu protest in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"Hand us the murderer. Tell us the truth. Give us our relatives back," one banner read. "You must return relatives of MH370. No strings attached."

The group's spokesman, who gave his name as Mr Kong, said the briefings in Beijing provided by Government officials were insufficient and they wanted to meet with Malaysian officials, Boeing, the airline and the Inmarsat satellite company.

"The announcement that the plane crashed into the southern Indian Ocean was just based on speculation," Mr Kong said.

Demanding answers ... newly arrived Chinese relatives of passengers on board the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 arrange banners before speaking to reporters at a hotel in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. Source: AP

Malaysia Airlines said would make arrangements to fly family members to Perth, once wreckage was confirmed. It said a assistance centre would be established and families would be taken to view any of the plane's remains.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has appointed former Defence chief Angus Houston to co-ordinate Australia's search, which now involves ships and planes from seven nations after Malaysia finally joined the search.

"Should our responsibilities increase as time goes by, there is no one better placed than Angus to co-ordinate and liaise given the quite significant number of countries that have a stake in this search," Mr Abbott said.

"This government won't rest to give those families and the wider community of the world a little more peace and insight into exactly what happened," he said.

Grieving mother Danica Weeks was "sickened" from the text message from Malaysian Airlines saying that her husband, Paul, a New Zealand resident of Perth, was dead.

"Sickened that someone would actually send me a text message to say that my loved one was dead," she told 60 Minutes last night. "It's my husband, my loving husband, the father of my children and you send me a text message."

Ms Weeks said she felt for her children, Lincoln, 3 and Jack, 11 months, who would grow up without the father they reminded her so much of. "Lincoln, it's just his personality and Jack is just the splitting image of him."

Immeasurable loss ... Danica Weeks said she felt for her children, Lincoln, 3 and Jack, 11 months, who would grow up without the father they reminded her so much of. Source: News Corp Australia

Flight 370 left course in the early hours of March 8 in the Gulf of Thailand en route to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew.

It is believed based on Malaysian radar data and from calculations made by British satellite provider Inmarsat that the flight turned south and flew for between six to eight hours into the Indian Ocean.

It now appears the Indian Ocean is strewn with garbage, misleading analysts who thought they were studying satellite images of possible debris fields from the jet.

One of Australia's RAAF Orion P3s was diverted to fly 648km north of the Antarctic mainland to investigate an emergency distress beacon activated by a Tanzanian-registered fishing vessel.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which also sent a civilian jet out of Melbourne to assist, was unable to establish communications with the vessel, which was in a location of extreme bad weather.

AMSA said debris was spotted in the location and now held grave fears for crew's safety.

False lead ... an object floats in the southern Indian Ocean in this picture taken from a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion aircraft. Source: AP

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How Law packed on 13kg for role

Packed it on ... Jude Law gained about 13 kilos to play the foul-mouthed, fresh-out-of-prison title character in 'Dom Hemingway'. Picture: AP Source: AP

JUDE Law packed on nearly 15 kilograms to star as an overweight ex-con in his new flick Dom Hemingway — and reckons he got a taste for overindulgence.

"It was tough to turn it off at the end," he admitted to Page Six.

"It was allowing myself to say 'yes' to everything — ice cream ... burgers ... all the wrong stuff."

But the normally trim 41-year-old said it was initially quite difficult to amp up the calories.

"I was banned from exercise and just encouraged to eat all the wrong stuff," Law dished to PEOPLE at the film's premiere in New York City on Thursday night.

"I ate a lot of red meat, a lot of steaks and burgers, and ice cream.

"I'm not a big gorger, so it was the Coca-Cola that got me. I was drinking five to 10 a day, and I just got kind of sick of it."

The British actor also confessed that his favourite indulgence was cookies 'n cream ice cream, "but I'll be happy if I never see another tub of it again in my life."

Breaking the habit ... Actor Jude Law got used to gorging on junk food. Picture: AP Source: AP

For director Richard Shepard, the British actor's physical transformation from dapper, clean-shaven gentleman to grisly, hard-living felon was crucial for the role.

"'I want you to gain weight, I want to see your receding hair line. In fact, I want you to flick your hair back so we can see it. I want your nose to be broken'," he recalled telling Law, according to The Wall Street Journal.

"We had long discussions on how yellow his teeth should be. We had long discussions on mutton chops and his facial hair. All of these things. All of this so Jude could lose himself and truly find Dom. At a certain point it all fell into place."

Although he appreciated Law's commitment to the role, Shepard told Page Six wanted to keep the star alive.

"He was drinking, like, 10 sodas a day, drinking non-alcoholic beer, which is disgusting, and he was pasty-faced [from] smoking. I was like, 'Just please don't have a heart attack until we are done filming'."

Law has since regained his trim frame, wearing no signs at the premiere of the dishevelled, vulgar crook he played in the Fox Searchlights movie.

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Seven ways to stick to gym routine

Stick at it... Many give up on exercise routines; don't be one of them. Source: News Limited

IF YOU'RE like most people, chances are you've experienced "The Vision", that flash of inspiration when you see your ideal physical self. "That's it," you say. "I'm going to get the stomach of Gisele Bündchen, the butt of Jessica Biel, and the legs of Blake Lively.

So you load up on the fabulous stretchy training gear and take to the gym/treadmill/exercise bike like a Duracell Bunny that's swallowed a car battery.

And then it all starts to seem too hard. The shine has come off. You'd rather stay on the sofa and watch My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

If this sounds like you, you're in good company. Research shows that about 50 per cent of people who start to exercise give up after six months. But don't despair. You only need a handful of strategies to get back in the groove.

Get personal

Burning calories may be the name of the game but think about the reasons why you're exercising in the first place because the more meaningful your goal is, the better. According to personal trainer Andreas Lundin, your goals should be inspirational to you, rather than being what you think other people expect of you. "I trained a woman who'd had twins," Lundin says. "All she wanted was to get the same feeling she'd had before the pregnancy. It didn't matter for her what the scales said, or what someone else said. When she achieved her goal she felt elated because it meant something."

Change it up

Bored? Not enjoying it anymore? You need to find a workout that has "meaning" to you. "Recent research suggests that the reason the dropout figure for exercise is so high is that the activities prescribed to people often lack meaning and purpose," Sandy Gordon, professor of Exercise, Health and Sport Psychology at The University of Western Australia, says. "Stair-climbing, treadmill walking or running, stationary bike riding and rowing machine work are often regarded as non-purposeful. Translation: boring."

The exercise you choose doesn't have to be your typical running or weight training, either; dancing, walking the dog, or paddleboard yoga (yes, it exists) — it all counts, as long as it raises your heart rate.

Make a record

Once you've found an activity you like, log it. "Research shows that when you monitor your own behaviour it has a significant impact [on your commitment to exercise]," University of Western Sydney sport psychologist Patsy Tremayne says.

Pedometers are nothing new but when used correctly, they can be enough to spur you on.

Have a back-up

It's rainy, your workout buddy has cancelled, the gym's closed on Anzac Day, there will inevitably be times when that 10km run just isn't going to happen. It's OK, though, because you have a back-up plan: a stash of fitness DVDs ready for a quick loungeroom workout, resistance bands for muscle toning, or your iPod for a personal high-intensity dance class.

Hit the play button

Keep your playlists updated. A study by Brunel University's School of Sport and Education in London found that listening to upbeat music while working out can reduce the perception of effort and increase endurance by 15 per cent.

Wake up your muscles

Too tired to exercise, as in the-baby's-been-up-all-night kind of tired? You deserve a rest. But before you do, try Movement Prep. This simple practice involves squeezing your muscles in a series of dynamic movements to increase your heart rate, energising you enough for a quick walk or some yoga. A full session involves several exercises, but the Moving Knee Hug is a good start: From a standing position, squat down a few inches and grab below your right knee with your hands. Rise up, pulling your right knee towards your chest while contracting your left glute. Hold for a few seconds. Step forwards and repeat with the other leg. Do six repetitions on each leg.

Find your inner boot camper

"I'm just not one of those 'exercise types'," you say, waving a dismissive hand in the direction of the barbarian hordes doing boot camp in the rain at 6am. But you can become that which you fear. "If you start being self-disciplined, it changes the neural networks of the brain," Tremayne says. "When we have bad habits we tend to mentally switch between the amygdala, which is involved in emotions, and the prefrontal cortex [which concerns planning and reasoning]. You ruminate a lot. By being self-disciplined, it cuts down on the ruminations, it dampens the emotional aspect of, 'Gee I can't do this, maybe I don't want to...' You just do it."

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‘Cahill shades Kewell as our greatest’

From Leeds to Melbourne, Harry Kewell's career in football has had many turning points, but the former Socceroo will be able to look back on his time in the game with incredible fondness.

Two of Australia's greatest ever Socceroos Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill. Source: AFP

HERE'S a thought: Why don't we make Harry Kewell joint Asian Cup ambassador with Alessandro Del Piero next year.

It would be the perfect way for fans to farewell Harry and it would honour an Australian born champion who surely ranks as the most gifted player we have produced.

As for the greatest Socceroo, I'd have to put Kewell and Tim Cahill in the grand final — and perhaps Timmy shades it because he's the country's leading goalscorer and will be going to a third straight World Cup.

Harry Kewell has credited each of the major clubs he has played for over a glittering career as he announced he will retire from the game at the end of the A-League season.

It's a close call.

However, Kewell belongs in any conversation when discussing Australia's most naturally talented footballers — and that's from any code.

For a boy to go from western Sydney, play for his country at 17, do what he did in England with Leeds and play at two World Cups deserves to be recognised.

Injuries slowed him down late in his career, but the enduring memories of Kewell will be the pace, power and balance of his runs down the left for Leeds and Australia.

Socceroos attacker Tim Cahill has paid tribute to countryman Harry Kewell who announced his retirement from the game on Wednesday, insisting the winger has been instrumental in the rise of Australian football.

For much of his career, he was the one Aussie player rival nations feared.

That's why he has earned the right to be paraded around the country in a prolonged victory lap in January when the Asian Cup kicks off.

Having Del Piero as tournament ambassador seems a strange fit.

We all know he's a brilliant player — one of the greatest of all time — but his best work was done in Europe with Juventus and on the world stage with Italy.

Ambassador for the Champions League? Maybe.

In contrast, Kewell played in the last Asian Cup final, he helped put Australian football on the world map and he's a Socceroo great.

Australian football great Harry Kewell calls an end to his football career, saying it is time for the next chapter in his life

We probably can't undo the Del Piero role now, but we can make Harry a large part of the celebration.

Kewell has always been his own man, deeply private away from football which can sometimes be mistaken for aloofness.

But what we saw last Wednesday was Kewell with the shutters down, giving fans a rare glimpse of his life away from the game as he reflected on retirement with his kids nearby.

I thought Kewell handled the announcement with class and humility. He didn't wait to be tapped on the shoulder, he didn't leave Ange Postecoglou with the emotional decision of leaving him out.

Harry Kewell of the Heart and Josh Mitchell of the Jets contest the ball. Source: Getty Images

He walked away for the good of the Socceroos.

It was an example to some other players who keep raging against the dying of the light rather than face the inevitable and move on.

I just hope Kewell gets to play against Western Sydney Wanderers and is given the send off he deserves from Melbourne Heart fans. And the FFA then ensures he's not lost to our game after that.

The Asian Cup would be a good place to start. If you look beyond the World Cup, being crowned the best team in Asia early next year would be the best gauge of where the national team is heading.

Robbie Slater says Tim Cahill edges Harry Kewell as our greatest Socceroo. Source: Getty Images

Only the eternal optimist would think we can qualify in Brazil against the likes of Chile, Holland and Spain. The Asian Cup is different, it's a tournament we should expect to win. South Korea will be a difficult assignment and we have played against Oman and Kuwait enough to know what to expect from them.

Kuwait are interesting. They are now coached by Brazilian Jorvan Vieira, who won the 2007 Asian Cup with Iraq and will be coming to get us.

While the leading Asian nations all point to the Socceroos as favourites, they also know we are a team in transition and will be looking to take advantage of that.

The World Cup will be spectacular, as it always is, but I can't wait for the Asian Cup.

It will be exciting to see how much our young players have grown from the experience of facing the world's best players in Brazil. It will represent the next chapter of Australian football.

And what better way to mark the occasion than having Kewell on hand to officially pass the torch to Tommy Rogic and the new generation.

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How do these celebrity stunt doubles compare?

Chandler Riggs with his stunt double on the set of AMC's "The Walking Dead." Picture: Gene Page Source: Supplied

THIS week, it was revealed that Chandler Riggs, the 14-year-old boy who stars on The Walking Dead as Carl, has an unexpected stunt double: Emily Brobst, a 29-year-old woman.

What made the news strange — beyond the obvious — was the accompanying photo, a perfect visual representation of seeing double. Which makes sense, of course, because that's the magic of stunt doubles. They look just enough like their famous counterparts to fool audiences.

Ahead, 14 amazing photos of celebs and their aerobatic doubles.

Tom Cruise, left, with his stunt double on the set of "Knight and Day." Picture: FameFlynet Source: Supplied

Dwayne Johnson, left, and his stuntman sighting on the set of "Pain & Gain" on April 14, 2012 in Miami. Picture: Larry Marano Source: Getty Images

Shia LaBeouf battles it out on larger than life rubble in Chicago, IL on July 31, 2010 with the help of his stunt double for "Transformers 3." Source: Supplied

Anthony Molinari, stunt double for Mark Ruffalo, and Mark Ruffalo filming on location for "Now You See Me" on March 22, 2012 in New York City. Picture: Bobby Bank Source: Getty Images

Taylor Lautner with his stunt double on the set of "Tracers" on June 24, 2013 in New York City. Picture: Bobby Bank Source: Getty Images

Actor Andrew Garfield, right, rehearses a scene with his stunt double at the "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" movie set in Madison Square Park on June 22, 2013 in New York City. Source: Supplied

Christian Slater, right, with his stunt double, Marc Shaffer, on the set of ABC's "The Forgotten." Source: Getty Images

Daniel Craig watches intently as his stunt double went through a fight scene on location in Panama City, Panama during filming of "Quantum of Solace." Source: Supplied

Cameron Diaz and her stunt double seen during the shooting of the film "Knight and Day" on Dec. 9, 2009 in Seville, Spain. Source: Getty Images

Actor Jennifer Garner, right, and her stunt double Shanna Duggins attends arrivals to the after party for the 3rd Annual Taurus World Stunt Awards at Paramount Studios June 1, 2003 in Hollywood, Calif. Source: Getty Images

Julie Newmar, left, with her stunt double on the set of the "Batman" TV series on March 3, 1966. Source: Getty Images

James Bond actor Sean Connery holding his stunt double, Alf Joint, in a headlock during the filming of "Goldfinger." Source: Getty Images

Actor Abbie Cornish, left, took to the ice with her stunt double in New York City, New York on March 31, 2010 to film her newest movie "Limitless." Source: Supplied

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Is this exercise the new Crossfit?

Is Crossfit doing your head in? F45 may be just for you. Source: Supplied

IT'S got a legion of celebrity fans including Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Ricky Martin and now this fitness training style is garnering a cult following across the country.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) are the exercise buzzwords of the moment.

New scientific research argues this kind of maximum capacity exercise — where you work flat out for short bursts of time, as opposed to jogging for an hour — is better for your fitness and your health.

F45 (Functional 45) training works just like that. The 45-minute sessions are interval-based, with both cardio and weights training.

Inevitable comparisons have been made between F45 and Crossfit, which has attracted criticism for its intimidating environment and tendency to cause injuries.

But this isn't about lifting 90kg weights or doing 100 burpees in a row.

F45 focuses on "holistic, functional fitness", with all the exercises designed to help you move better throughout your daily life.

Hugh Jackman did F45 training to get buff for The Wolverine. Source: Supplied

"We focus on strength, respiratory and flexibility," says Jacqueline Karim, who manages an F45 training centre in the Sydney suburb of Crows Nest.

You work in groups of three people, working hard for 40 seconds then resting for 20 seconds.

You move around three training circuits which contain three different exercises. There is a maximum of 27 people in a class.

Each exercise targets a different part of the body so you get an all-over workout," says Ms Karim. "It targets your body in the correct way. We do bulking and shredding, building muscle and melting fat."

Inside an F45 training session. Source: Supplied

MORE: Chiropractors warn about some kinds of fitness

And unlike Crossfit, which is focused on bashing out a set number of reps, F45 is time-based. There's no fixed number of reps per exercise.

"The beauty of it is everyone goes at their own pace," says Ms Karim.

If your technique isn't up to scratch, a trainer will work with you until you get it right.

This was a huge drawcard for Dianne Davis, who converted to F45 a month ago after suffering ongoing knee injuries.

"[With Crossfit], you've got to hurry up and get those reps up in that [set] time frame," the stay-at-home-mum says. "That's where your injuries can happen because your technique isn't being looked at.

"Those injuries are not going to get any better because you're lifting an obscene amount of weight and [often] you're not doing [the exercises] properly. I know half the time I was not doing it properly."

F45 is a group training method that uses interval-based cardio and weights exercises. Source: Supplied

The balance of cardio and weights in F45 holds wide appeal — you up your fitness levels while getting lean and toned.

"I am definitely fitter," says Ms Davis. "My cardio has definitely improved."

Well, if it's good enough for Hugh Jackman, it's good enough for us.

Just a gratuitous shot of Hugh Jackman's abs. Source: Supplied

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Could this selfie stop Vladimir Putin?

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki indicates her support for Ukraine in a Twitter post Thursday. Picture: New York Post Source: New York Post

RUSSIAN leader Vladimir Putin sent in troops and tanks to invade neighbouring Ukraine and the United States is coming to the rescue with selfies.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki was mocked Thursday after posting a photo of herself on Twitter holding a sign that read #United­For­Ukraine @State­Dept­Spox."

Psaki, who has worked closely with President Obama since his 2008 campaign and is the chief communications adviser to Secretary of State John Kerry, is smiling and giving a thumbs-up in the photo.

But the cheerleading for beleaguered Ukraine wasn't trending or scaring off bully Putin, said critics in the blogosphere.

"Presenting The Latest US Strategy to Counter 'Russian Aggression,'" a snarky blogger posted on zerohedge.com. "#Selfies!"

Russia's President Vladimir Putin's soldiers have seized Crimea. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Russian soldiers fire a tank at a former Ukrainian military base in Perevalne, in Crimea. Picture: AP Source: AP

Critics said the photo from America's chief diplomatic perch was embarrassing.

"No wonder Putin covers his mouth when speaking to Obama, perhaps to hide his laugh?" wrote another blogger.

"How flippin' sad has the USA become?" wondered a third critic.

Psaki defended her photo.

"The people of Ukraine are fighting to have their voices heard and the benefit of communicating over social media is it sends a direct message to the people that we are with them, we support their fight, their voice and their future," she said.

"We are going to do everything we can to support Ukraine": US President Barack Obama has pledged tough action against Russia. Picture: AP Source: AP

World leaders and the US Congress tried to provide Ukraine with more than selfie support Thursday to help contain Russia.

The International Monetary Fund pledged up to $18 billion in loans to Ukraine and the UN voted overwhelmingly to condemn the Russian-sponsored vote in Crimea that drove it toward the Kremlin.

For its part, Congress approved harsher sanctions against Russia.

Yet even with such intensive help to prop up Ukraine's teetering economy, its prime minister warned of painful times ahead to implement economic reforms.

In a passionate address to parliament in Kiev, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk warned that Ukraine was "on the brink of economic and financial bankruptcy" and laid out the fixes needed to put the country back on track.

You can read more stories like this at The New York Post

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Ships speed to new crash site

Thailand has spotted 300 floating objects in the southern Indian Ocean during a search for flight MH370.

A Thaichote satellite image shows some of the 300 objects seen floating in the Indian Ocean near the search area for the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner, about 2700 kilometres from Perth. Picture: AP Source: AP

MULTIPLE objects of various colours have been spotted during the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines jet, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

A RNZAF Orion first spotted the objects, which were white or light in colour, and a RAAF Orion then also found the two objects, reporting they were blue or grey rectangular shapes.

A second RAAF Orion also spotted more objects on a separate search at a different site roughly 546 kilometres away, AMSA said.

Ten search planes involved in Friday's search have returned to land.

New objects...Images of the objects taken from a RNZAF plane during the latest search for debris. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

The debris must now be relocated and recovered by ships before they can be verified. A Chinese patrol ship in the area will attempt to track down the objects today.

Photographs of the objects are to be assessed overnight.

The search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was shifted north after new information from Malaysia crash investigators.

Japanese authorities also announced overnight that they have satellite images which show a number of floating objects about 2500 kilometres southwest of Perth.

This comes as Malaysian authorities today received satellite imagery from Thailand.

"Early this morning we received separate satellite imagery from the Thai authorities which also showed potential objects," Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said.

"These new satellite images join those released by Australia, China, France, and Malaysia, all of which are with RCC Australia.

"The range of potential objects, and the difficulty in re-identifying them shows just how complex this investigation is. We remain grateful to all our partners for continuing to assist in the search operations."

Authorities said the location of the search area is the reason why some countries have withdrawn from the search effort.

Search...RAAF Flight Lieutenant Russell Adams looks out from the cockpit of a AP-3C Orion during a search mission for missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Meanwhile, relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have demanded China mount its own inquiry into the disappearance, a letter shows.

The letter, sent to Beijing's special envoy in Kuala Lumpur, denounced Malaysia's handling of the search and asked the Chinese government to set up its own "investigation office''.

A committee set up by relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers has begun discussions with lawyers about a potential lawsuit against Malaysia Airlines, a move that the family members have hotly debated among themselves.

"We question Malaysia's motivations in misleading and delaying so as to miss the best moment to find MH370,'' the relatives wrote in the letter to special envoy Zhang Yesui on Thursday, blasting Kuala Lumpur's behaviour as "irresponsible'' and "inhumane''.

"We earnestly request that China establish an investigation office into MH370,'' the letter states, also urging "an effective communication system between the relatives and the government''.

Asked about the request, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters today: "We have repeatedly pointed out that under the current circumstances what is pressing now is the search.''

There were 153 Chinese citizens on board the flight and the letter came days after frustrated family members staged a protest in front of the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.

Malaysia Airlines CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said it was not yet clear whether Malaysia and China would continue a co-share arrangement on the flight route between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.

"We obviously will be in discussion with China Southern on this because that flight is a co-share," he said.

"So far Boeing has not provided any form of funding but they are in full cooperation with the investigation team, and ourselves as well, trying to find out what happened to MH370."

When asked about compensation for the relatives of victims, Mr Yahya said that what families wanted most was evidence of the aircraft.

"We are obviously talking to the various legal parties and the families on this," he said.

"So far what we have been requested is actually, certainly by the family members, is to identify the evidence affirmatively which means they want to see evidence in terms of the aircraft.

"They are still looking for the evidence of the aircraft. That's why the search has actually intensified to make sure we can locate the aircraft."

PLANE FLEW FASTER, CRASHED SOONER THAN THOUGHT

New analysis of radar data from Malaysia Airlines' flight MH370's initial hour in the air indicates the plane flew faster and crashed sooner than previously thought.

The search off Perth has today shifted dramatically, more than 1000km northeast and closer to the Australian coast, after Malaysian authorities shared "a new credible lead".

Australia is no longer convinced the satellite images that supposedly depicted debris fields in the southern Indian Ocean are bits of floating plane fuselage or flotsam associated with the wreck of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

A senior source close to the search said it had cooled on its belief that a debris field of 122 objects was related to plane wreckage. The source also said that reports a Thai satellite had located a separate debris field of some 300 objects were not being treated as credible by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority or the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN: WHY FLIGHT MH370 IS SO HARD TO FIND

The Australian authorities had not received any formal information from Thailand and have now dismissed the reports, which they first heard via the media.

It is not clear what the white specks seen on satellite — some reported to be as large as 20m — did in fact show.

But Australia is of the view that it has thoroughly combed the area where 122 objects were supposedly seen, and despite unconfirmed aerial sightings of three objects in the area, ships had found nothing.

On day 21 of the search John Young, manager of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's emergency response division, said this afternoon that four planes were in the area, and that six ships were on the way to the new zone, which was "now our best place to go".

"We have moved on from (previous) search areas,'' said Mr Young.

"The search we've had to date is what we had at the time. New information will emerge.

"I don't count the original work a waste of time.''

MEMORIAL IN PERTH PLANNED FOR MH370 VICTIMS

Latest development ... The new search zone for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Source: Supplied

Martin Dolan, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), Australia's investigation agency, said this is the best estimate of the area where the aircraft is likely to have crashed into the ocean.

"We have taken into account drift information as well as the likely entry point of the aircraft into the water," he said.

The key pieces of information being analysed relate to early positional information from the aircraft and its later polling of the satellite through its aircraft systems, he said.

"The new information is based on continuing analysis of radar data about the aircraft's movement between the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca before contact was lost.

"This continuing analysis indicated the plane was travelling faster than previously estimated, resulting in increased fuel usage and reducing the possible distance the aircraft travelled south into the Indian Ocean.

"Radar and satellite polling data has been combined with information about the likely performance of the aircraft, speed and fuel consumption in particular, to arrive at the best assessment of the area at which the aircraft is likely to have entered the water.

"The information provided by the international investigation team is the most credible lead that we currently have in the search for aircraft wreckage."

FLIGHT MH370: SOUNDS OF THE DEEP MAY HINDER SEARCH

Mr Dolan said the information needed to be continually adjusted for the length of time elapsed since the aircraft went missing and the likelihood of any drift of any wreckage floating on the ocean surface.

"Finally we stress that under the international convention Malaysia has investigative responsibility for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. At this stage ATSB's main task is to assist in the search for the aircraft."

FLIGHT MH370: MEET THE AUSTRALIAN WHO SHOULD BE DEAD

Organisers arrange black ribbons during a ceremony in memory of passengers on board the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in Kuala Lumpur. Source: AP

The new search area is approximately 319,000 square kilometres and around 1,850 kilometres west of Perth. AMSA resumed today's search with a total of 10 aircraft and six ships.

My Young said the search area remains large: about 319,000 square kilometres with sea depths in the new area range from 2000 metres to 4000 metres.

Planes and ships had spent a week searching about 2500 kilometres southwest of Perth, whereas now they are searching about 1850 kilometres west of the city.

Mr Young said that as the new search zone is closer to Perth, where planes are being flown from, spotters have longer time on the scene than before. Until now, they only had one to two hours before having to return to RAAF air base Pearce.

"We're now doing much better than that,'' Mr Young said.

He added the "best information" about where to search related to the aircraft's flight path, rather than satellite imagery of possible debris.

"Anything we can have about movement of aircraft creates the greatest degree of confidence," he said.

"We've also had satellite imagery. Satellite imagery has been followed up but actually had not produced any sightings for us but that might change in the future.

"We also use sophisticated oceanographic modelling to determine where objects will move. In terms of keeping the search area confined, knowing what happens to the water is very important."

A host of images from Japanese, Thai and French satellites had given searchers hope — now apparently false — that a debris field from the plane was in the earlier search area. Collectively they detected hundreds of objects ranging from 1 metre to about 20 metres in length.

Mike Coffin, the executive director of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at Australia's University of Tasmania, said the frequency of the apparent false alarms raised questions about the quality of the satellite data, though it's also possible that the satellites detected real objects that were simply unrelated to the plane. Mr Coffin has sailed in that part of the ocean.

"There is all kinds of debris in the ocean,'' he said. "When you are out there, you see stuff all the time.''

Mr Young said a "significant amount of random dispersion of objects" would have occurred in the 21 days since the plane crashed, steadily increasing the size of the search area.

Weather conditions in the new search area will also be more favourable, he said.

As the search continues, Malaysia Airlines is struggling to control the backlash from China and took a swipe at the media over its irresponsible reporting.

"Malaysia Airlines wishes to thank media publications that have been responsible in their reporting of MH370," it said in a statement.

"We shall continue to cooperate in providing such information as we can but independent investigations are now underway and we do operate under strict constraints in this regard.

"In the meantime our top priority remains to provide any and all assistance to the families of the passengers and crew."

Remembered ... Motor racing driver Lewis Hamilton prepares to drive with a sticker on his helmet in memory of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 during practice for the Malaysia F1 Grand Prix. Source: Getty Images

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he has been briefed about the new radar data analysis of the flight path.

"This is a credible new lead and will be thoroughly investigated today," Mr Abbott said.

"This is an extraordinarily difficult search, and an agonising wait for family and friends of the passengers and crew," he added.

"As I have said from the start, we owe it to them to follow every credible lead and to keep the public informed of significant new developments. That is what we are doing."

The Prime Minister said leading experts from around the world are working to solve this "baffling mystery".

"It has been a truly remarkable international effort."

"We will continue to work closely with the Malaysian and Chinese governments and with all our international partners to locate MH370 and find answers to what happened to it."

New search directions ... Flight Lt. Jayson Nichols looks at a map as he flies aboard a RAAF AP-3C Orion. Picture: Michael Martina Source: AP

It was announced yesterday that Thai and Japanese satellites had spotted other floating objects ranging from two to 16 metres in length, about 2700 kilometres southwest of Perth.

"But we cannot — dare not — confirm they are debris from the plane," said Anond Snidvongs, director of Thailand's space technology development agency.

Japan's Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Centre said their analysis showed 10 objects in the search area, suggesting a debris field.

The objects were up to eight metres in length and four metres wide.

Jiji Press cited an official at the office as saying they were "highly likely'' to be from the plane.

Family ... a woman breaks into tears as she places a paper crane as a symbol for hope and healing during a ceremony in memory of passengers on board the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight. Picture: AP Source: AP

SEARCH ZONE: Understanding the Indian Ocean

But relatives of the 239 people aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 expressed their frustration at yet more satellite discoveries that have not been backed up by the recovery of any actual debris.

"Until something is picked up and analysed to make sure it's from MH370 we can't believe it, but without anything found it's just clues,'' Steve Wang, whose 57-year-old mother was aboard the flight, said in Beijing.

"Without that, it's useless."

Wang Zhen, whose parents were aboard the missing plane, said in a telephone interview in Beijing that he was becoming exasperated.

"There is nothing I can do but to wait, and wait,'' he said. "I'm also furious, but what is the use of getting furious?''

The families' anger has not diminished this week; the Straits Times reported that Malaysian authorities infuriated passengers' loved ones by telling them at a briefing this week that there was "sealed evidence that cannot be made public" in relation to the missing flight.

"The sealed evidence included air traffic control radio transcript, radar data and airport security recordings," the paper reported.

The remarks by Malaysian authorities — made at the Metropark Lido Hotel in Beijing — have not been reported by other major newspapers, despite being widely shared on social media.

Mission control ... a navigation screen aboard an AP-3C Orion aircraft shows their current location represented by a white circle during their mission to the (former) search area. Source: AFP

THE LATEST SATELLITE IMAGES

The new pictures were taken by Thailand's only earth observation satellite on Monday but took several days to process and were relayed to Malaysian authorities on Wednesday.

The discovery was reported less than 24 hours after the Malaysian government revealed 122 objects had been seen about 2557 kilometres from Perth, ranging in length from one metre to 23 metres.

It's unknown whether the satellites detected the same objects; currents in the ocean can run a meter per second and wind also could move material.

Thailand faced criticism after announcing more than a week after the jet's disappearance on March 8 that its radar had picked up an "unknown aircraft" minutes after flight MH370 last transmitted its location.

The Thai air force said it did not report the findings earlier as the plane was not considered a threat.

The Malaysia Airlines plane is presumed to have crashed in the Indian Ocean with 239 people on board after mysteriously diverting from its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing path and apparently flying for hours in the opposite direction.

Blue skies but fading hopes ... RAAF Flight Lieutenant Russell Adams looks out from the cockpit. Picture: Paul Kane Source: AFP

CHALLENGES OF THE SEARCH

Thunderstorms and gale-force winds grounded the international air search for wreckage on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the specialist visual spotters who have spent countless hours searching the vast Indian Ocean for signs of the missing plane are battling fatigue and tricks of the mind.

For all the fancy technology on board the planes and vessels scouring the swirling waters, the best tool searchers have are their own eyes — but they can play tricks or blink at the wrong moment.

Fighting fatigue ... a RAAF crew member looks out of his observation window while searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 over the Indian Ocean. Picture: AP Source: AP

RELATED: How MH370 saga will impact on Malaysia

"Thinking about that is what keeps you going over what can be really, really long and quite dull missions at times,'' says one searcher. "Is it going to be behind this next wave?''

"You might be looking for a single canoe in the vastness of the Pacific and we do find them.

"So there is always hope.''

Remembered ... a woman takes a photo of a screen showing candles lit for relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

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This is what life is like for a refugee

A girl holds her baby sister while waiting to collect food rations in the town of Mingkaman. The children have been displaced by recent violence in South Sudan. Credit: Kate Holt, of UNICEF Source: Supplied

THE storm came with such speed and ferocity that no one was prepared.

For Thot, 20, the sudden ferocious downpour scared his youngest siblings as it quickly washed through the tent they now call home.

"I was sitting with my five brothers and sisters in the tent, playing a game, and then 'boom', the rains came down so hard it was like the sky was angry with the people below," he said.

"The floor quickly filled with water and all of our clothes, food, supplies … everything was soaked.

"The little ones were scared, but what could we do? We just sat there, wet, until the rain passed."

People go about their daily lives alongside dirty water in a camp for displaced people, located on the base of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the city of Malakal, South Sudan. About 22,000 people are located in the mission camp. Credit: Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin, of UNICEF Source: Supplied

Now, along with thousands of others in a camp for displaced South Sudanese, Thot is pulling his meagre possessions from the mud — including the mattresses his family sleeps on — and trying to find somewhere for them to dry.

Here, in a camp in South Sudan's capital, Juba, 27,000 people have taken refuge from recent violence. This new challenge, wrought by just two hours of rain, is a worrying portent for an already devastated community.

Adults and children alike are scouring the mire to reclaim what few of their already meagre possessions they can reclaim.

Children displaced by recent fighting in South Sudan stand outside a tented school run by UNICEF, in the town of Mingkaman, where humanitarian assistance is being provided. Credit: Kate Holt, of UNICEF Source: Supplied

Like its surrounds, the UN peacekeeping base has been transformed into a muddy soup of debris with workers forced to tread carefully so as not to slip and fall in the muck.

Turning off the wide muddy track forming the camp's main road and you venture into a warren of tiny paths running between the rows of tents and shelters.

Here you soon found yourself in mud up to the ankles and on high alert to avoid the pools of filthy water at least a foot deep.

A steady procession of women and children pass, sloshing through water in search of higher ground to dry clothes and bedding in the hot sun. Everyone, me included, is filthy.

It's in these flooded pathways that I meet Thot and see what had happened in his shelter. A makeshift tarpaulin roof has collapsed from the sheer force of rain and the earthen floor is still deep underwater.

"Look at this," Thot said. "We cannot stay here anymore so we have taken everything we have left and gone to sit by the camp's main road. We have nowhere else to go, nowhere to sleep."

Close tents of Tomping displacement camp, near Juba, South Sudan, means heavy rains can't drain easily and leaves little space for people to dry their sodden clothes and possessions. Credit: Chris Tidey, of UNICEF Source: Supplied

There are now more than 705,000 people displaced in their own country, by the violent conflict in South Sudan. Since the political crisis erupted on December 1, many have taken refuge on low-lying land prone to flooding during the rainy season.

Fearing for their safety, they are unable to return to their homes. The displaced here in the Tomgping camp have some safety from the violence, but, like hundreds of thousands of citizens of the world's newest nations — they are staring down disaster.

"If one night of rain can do this," a community elder introduced to me as Paul asked, "what will happen when the rains come every day?"

A child clothed with what's available after a storm washes through Tomping displacement camp at the United Nations peacekeeping mission near Juba, in South Sudan. Credit: Chris Tidey, of UNICEF Source: Supplied

As this storm and damage to the Tomgping site so aptly demonstrate, inadequate preparations for the looming rainy season will have catastrophic consequences for South Sudan's displaced.

UNICEF's representative in South Sudan Steven Lauwerier says the window of opportunity is small but there are urgent actions to that are being rolled out now.

"Latrines in flood-prone IDP communities must be moved to higher ground to prevent contamination; humanitarian supplies, essential medicines and children's nutritional supplements must be shipped and in situ before roads become impassable; and children must urgently be vaccinated against opportunistic diseases which thrive under these conditions" he said.

"Acting now will save children's lives in the future."

Women displaced by recent fighting in South Sudan rest at a food distribution site in the town of Mingkaman. Credit: Kate Holt, of UNICEF Source: Supplied

UNICEF and its partners are working to help children and families prepare for the rainy season. Ongoing activities include the pre-positioning of supplies such as ready-to-use therapeutic food for the treatment of malnutrition, launching cholera and measles vaccination campaigns, and the establishment of key programs in locations likely to become inaccessible during the rains.

UNICEF in South Sudan has appealed for $81 million in support of its emergency humanitarian response over the first six months of this year. The appeal remains 80 per cent unfunded.

A girl walks through floodwater amid damaged and destroyed makeshift shelters, in the inundated Tomping displacement camp at the United Nations peacekeeping mission near Juba, in South Sudan. Credit: Chris Tidey, of UNICEF Source: Supplied

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Search called off due to bad weather

Officials say new satellite images have revealed 122 potential pieces of debris from missing flight MH370.

Speculation ... Captain Zaharie Shah's son says his father is innocent. Source: Supplied

A THAI satellite has reportedly spotted at least 300 floating objects in the southern Indian Ocean, its space agency says.

The discovery was reported less than 24 hours after the Malaysian government revealed 122 objects had been seen about 2557 kilometres from Perth, ranging in length from one metre to 23 metres.

Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency executive director Anond Snidvongs told AFP the objects, ranging from two to 15 metres in size, were scattered over an area about 2700 kilometres southwest of Perth.

"But we cannot — dare not — confirm they are debris from the plane," he said.

The pictures were taken by Thailand's only earth observation satellite on Monday but took several days to process.

He said the information had been given to Malaysia.

Scattered ... imagery acquired on March 24, 2014 in the Indian Ocean showing about 300 objects ranging from two to 15 metres in size. Source: Supplied

Thailand faced criticism after announcing more than a week after the jet's disappearance on March 8 that its radar had picked up an "unknown aircraft" minutes after flight MH370 last transmitted its location.

The Thai air force said it did not report the findings earlier as the plane was not considered a threat.

LONG SEARCH: Spotters fight fatigue in hunt for plane

SOLVE FOR X: Maths could hold the key to finding MH37 0

The Malaysia Airlines plane is presumed to have crashed in the Indian Ocean with 239 people on board after mysteriously diverting from its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing path and apparently flying for hours in the opposite direction.

Thunderstorms and gale-force winds grounded the international air search for wreckage on Thursday.

The images spotted by the French satellite on March 23 — the 122 floating objects — were 2557km south west of Perth — the Thai one is 2700km southwest of Perth — so within the same zone

More than 300 objects ... another satellite image showing scattered objects possibly a part of MH370. Source: Supplied

BAD WEATHER THWARTS SEARCH

The news came as the last search plane returned to Perth for the day after efforts were largely thwarted by bad weather, the second time this week.

However, five vessels including the HMAS Success and four Chinese ships continued to visually scour the waves.

Captain Mike MacSween, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot on exchange with the RAAF, piloted the only Australian P3 Orion to make it to the search area before the weather closed in.

Capt MacSween said the plane's crew searched the area for about two and a half hours, mainly at a height of around 500 feet, but didn't see anything of note.

"It was definitely not ideal for visual search conditions,'' he said.

"The visibility was anywhere between five miles and basically zero.''

He said the plane flew as low as 200ft (61m) in an attempt to keep sight of the surface.

Malaysian authorities are sending a team - comprised of the DCA, MAS, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force - to Perth to assist with the search operation, authorities said tonight.

The Malaysian government cancelled its daily press briefing but the Ministry of Transport tonight released a statement providing an update on the search operation off Perth and meetings held in Kuala Lumpur today.

As Malaysia struggles to deal with the relatives of Chinese passengers on board MH370, the Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy Zhang Yesui met with those relatives in the Malaysian capital today.

"Today, the high-level team met relatives again, at 3.25pm Malaysia time. The meeting is still underway," the statement said.

"Malaysia is working hard to try and make the briefings to the Chinese relatives in Beijing more productive.

"Malaysian officials met with His Excellency Huang Huikang, China's Ambassador to Malaysia, to request the Government of China to engage and clarify the actual situation to the affected families in particular and the Chinese public in general."

Some of the relatives of the Chinese passengers have expressed outrage that Malaysia essentially declared their loved ones dead without recovering a single piece of wreckage.

Some questioned how investigators could have concluded the direction and speed of the plane.

One man said he wanted to pummel everyone in the delegation.

Meanwhile, a US-based law firm filed court documents that often precede a lawsuit on behalf of a relative of an Indonesian-born passenger.

The filing in Chicago asked a judge to order Malaysia Airlines and Boeing to turn over documents related to the possibility that "negligence'' caused the plane to crash, including any papers about the chances of "fatal depressurisation'' in the cockpit.

And in Washington, FBI chief James Comey told lawmakers that experts were working "literally round the clock'' to finish their analysis, in the hopes that the data could provide clues to what happened.

DEBRIS TOO SMALL TO PICK UP

The captain of the Australian Navy vessel leading the on-water hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight has revealed the pieces of debris being sought are so small they cannot be picked on the ship's radar.

HMAS Success has been posted in the southern Indian Ocean for days, searching for any sign of the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which went missing on March 8 with 239 people on board.

After confirmation by Malaysia Airlines and the Malaysian government earlier this week that the flight was lost with no chance of survival for any passengers or crew, Captain Allison Norris and her crew were one of the first ships to arrive in the area to follow any leads supplied from the air.

"We would adjust our search pattern to maximise the possibility of finding something in the water," Captain Norris said.

"But we have not sighted anything related to the missing flight.''

Debris too small to detect on radar ... Commanding Officer of HMAS Success, Captain Allison Norris, scans the southern Indian Ocean from the ship's bridge. Source: AFP

Malaysian authorities revealed late yesterday that satellites had picked up 122 potential pieces of debris in the search zone.

But Capt Norris said the ship's spotters had found no concrete evidence of a crash site yet.

She also reiterated the massive task was still ahead of the search teams.

"The type of wreckage or object we are looking for is so close to the water line that our radars would not be able to pick it up,'' Capt Norris said.

"We are very reliant on lookouts who use binoculars and night vision devices to scan the horizon and scan the area around our ship.

"It is very cold so we rotate the lookouts through every hour.''

HMAS Success and other ships remain searching for any debris from the missing plane despite bad weather forcing all planes to postpone the hunt for debris.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority stated all planes are returning to Perth yet the ships will remain in the search zone, about 2500 kilometres southwest of Perth, and will try to continue looking for debris.

The bad weather that has hit the search area is expected to last for the next 24 hours.

Malaysia Airlines today ran a full-page condolence advertisement with a black background in a major newspaper.

"Our sincerest condolences go out to the loved ones of the 239 passengers, friends and colleagues. Words alone cannot express our enormous sorrow and pain,'' read the advertisement in the New Straits Times.

Formula One teams and officials are preparing to honour the victims of flight MH370 at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.

The race on Sunday will be held at the Sepang circuit, next to Kuala Lumpur's main airport, where the flight took off on March 8.

A relative of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight yells at a security personnel at a protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing. Source: AFP

The Mercedes team, which is sponsored by Malaysian oil company Petronas, will have messages of support on its cars and driver helmets.

Driver Lewis Hamilton said the tragedy is "just heartbreaking'' and "my heart and thoughts go out to the families and friends''.

F1 officials and Malaysian organisers will hold discussions today about how to best commemorate the loss.

The developments come after the youngest son of Malaysia Airlines pilot Captain Zaharie Shah broke his family's silence to defend his father.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES CAPTAIN ZAHARIE SHAH CALLED 'MYSTERY WOMAN'

CAPTAIN ZAHARIE SHAH'S DAUGHTER WAS IN AUSTRALIA

Ahmad Seth told the New Strait Times in Malaysia that he had read news reports and speculation about his father's role as the missing plane's pilot.

And he dismissed theories that his father may have had something to do with the plane's disappearance.

"I've read everything online. But I've ignored all the speculation. I know my father better," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

"We may not be as close as he travels so much. But I understand him," he said.

Seth, 26, is a language student and the youngest of pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah's three children.

So far none of the rest of the family has spoken as wild theories and accusations have swirled about what happened to the plane and any role that Captain Zaharie may have played.

Family ... Ahmad Seth, the son of Captain Zaharie Shah, with his sister and mother. Source: Supplied

In Washington, FBI chief James Comey told lawmakers today (AEDT) that experts were working "literally round the clock'' to finish their analysis, in the hopes that the data could provide clues to what happened to Flight MH370.

Malaysia "took us up on our technical abilities, which involves the exploitation of certain computer forensic materials that they've given to us. That work is ongoing,'' Comey told a House subcommittee meeting to discuss the FBI's 2015 budget request.

"I don't want to say more about that in an open setting, but I expect it to be done fairly shortly, within a day or two.''

Malaysian police removed the simulator from Captain Zaharie Shah's home nearly two weeks ago.

HMAS TOOWOOMBA DIVERTED TO SEARCH FOR MISSING PLANE

His daughter, Aishah Zaharie lives in Melbourne and has returned to Kuala Lumpur to be with her mother and family members.

The oldest child Ahmad Idris has made several comments on social media, thanking everyone for their support.

Today's search and recovery operation for the Malaysia Airlines flight started off as race against time, with ships and planes attempting to locate debris.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology had warned that the weather was expected to deteriorate.

Six military aircraft, five civil aircraft and five ships took part after new satellite images released yesterday found about 122 objects floating in the southern Indian Ocean.

HMAS Success remains in the search area about 2500 kilometres southwest of Perth and was joined by four Chinese ships — Xue Long, Kuulunshan, Haikon and Qiandaohu — in the search area.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLIGHT'S FINAL UNEXPLAINED 'SQUAWK'

Two Royal Australian Air Force P3 Orions, a Japanese Gulfstream jet, a US Navy P8 Poseidon and a Japanese P3 Orion took part throughout the day.

Five civil aircraft also took part.

"Potentially thunderstorms down there as well as winds picking up, and they could get to gale force conditions,'' said bureau spokesman Neil Bennett.

The objects detected by a French satellite, measuring from one metre to 23 metres long, were picked up four days ago and sent to the Australian search co-ordinators yesterday.

Some of the objects appeared to be bright in colour and possibly of solid material.

It is the biggest field of possible debris spotted so far in the multinational search for the Boeing 777-200 and is the "most credible lead" so far.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said three objects were sighted yesterday — two of them were spotted from a civilian aircraft in the search and were likely to be rope and the third, seen from a NZ P3 Orion, was a blue object.

Where they're looking ... this graphic released by the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency shows the approximate position of objects seen floating in the southern Indian Ocean. Source: AP

BLACK BOXES MAY NOT REVEAL WHAT HAPPENED

Aviation experts have cautioned that even finding the black box flight recorder may not reveal what really happened on flight MH370 on its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on Saturday March 8.

New Zealand aviation commentator Peter Clark told News Corp Australia that the voice recorder, if found, may have nothing on it as it is erased every two hours.

"There are two black boxes ... a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder," he said.

"The data recorder can operate for 18 to 25 hours before it starts to override so if they find the data recorder there could be information on it.

"But if they find the voice recorder and it's still working they will probably only hear the accident."

Flight MH370 made a sudden turn while flying over the Gulf of Thailand not long after take off and made other course and altitude changes. The plane's communications systems were also turned off, suggesting human action rather than a catastrophic mechanical failure was to blame.

Possible debris field ... Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said a satellite had captured images of 122 objects close to where three other satellites previously detected objects. Source: AP

THE SATELLITE IMAGES

Details of the French satellite images were revealed last night by Malaysia's Defence and acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said the images were taken by Airbus Defence and Space, in France, on March 23.

Mr Hussein said the images were analysed by the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency on Tuesday. They found that in an area of ocean about 400 square kilometres there were 122 potential objects, about 2557km from Perth.

Cluster of objects ... this map released by Malaysian authorities appear to show objects in proximity to each other. Source: Supplied

It is the fourth set of satellite images showing potential debris since March 16 but so far none has been physically located or picked up from the ocean.

The latest images are not far from the objects seen on Australian and Chinese satellites on March 16 and 18.

Mr Hussein said it was now "imperative that we link the debris to MH370."

"This will enable us to further reduce the search area and locate more debris from the plane," he said, adding this would enable the search to move into the next phase of deep sea surveillance and salvage.

COMPENSATION: How much will families get?

Search continues ... a Pilatus PC-9/A comes in for a landing at RAAF Base Pearce in Perth. RAAF Pearce is accommodating six nations that have joined forces in Australia. Source: AP

SEA SURFACE POSES A CHALLENGE

Even if the search does find verifiable wreckage from MH370 on the surface, marine geologist Dr Robin Beaman said underwater volcanoes would probably hamper efforts to recover the black box flight recorder from the depths.

Mr Beaman said the Southeast Indian Ridge cut directly through the search area, meaning the sea bed was rugged and constantly being reshaped by magma flows.

He said the ridge was an "extremely active'' range of volcanoes sitting at an average depth of 3000 metres, which marked the point where the Antarctic and Australian tectonic plates are pulling apart.

RELATED: 'History will judge us well' says Transport Minister

SEARCH: Underwater volcanoes pose a challenge

Still no answers ... a relative of a passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 speaks to the media. Source: AFP

TENSIONS WITH CHINA

Mr Hussein also defended his Government over growing Chinese criticism about the handling of the disaster.

He said until the debris is found the one question Chinese relatives are asking cannot be answered.

And in a veiled reference to the Chinese reaction, where there have been angry scenes and water bottles hurled at Malaysian officials and protest marches, Mr Hussein said many nations had lost loved ones.

Mr Hussein denied suggestions his country had taken a "bruising" over handling of the matter.

He said in a world full of divides, hate and death and in South-East Asia, where countries fight over rocks in the sea, the search for MH370 was a great achievement not a bruising.

"Speculation will go on and people will look to Malaysia but I think history will judge us well," he said.

However, frustrated relatives of Chinese passengers on board demanded answers from the Malaysian ambassador for a second consecutive day, with some openly insulting him at a Beijing hotel.

"All the things that were promised, we have received nothing. Was Mr Yahya talking out of the other end of his body — was he talking out of his arse?" one relative said, referring to Malaysia Airlines Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.

TENSION: Souring relationship between China and Malaysia

'Situation handled appallingly' ... Danica Weeks, the wife of Paul Weeks who was on Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Source: News Corp Australia

WIFE OF PASSENGER BLASTS POOR COMMUNICATION

The family of Paul Weeks, who was aboard the flight, have criticised Malaysia's handling of the information flow about the search operation.

His wife Danica Weeks found out in a text message from the airline that her husband had likely died when the plane crashed in the Indian Ocean and his sister, Sara, had to rely on a call from her mother to hear the news.

"The whole situation has been handled appallingly, incredibly insensitively,'' Ms Weeks told Radio Live in New Zealand on Thursday.

"Everyone is angry about it.

"The Malaysian government, the airline, it's just all been incredibly poor.

"Who's to say they couldn't have located the plane the day that it happened.''

A lot of information seemed to have been withheld and took a very long time to get through, Ms Weeks added.

Ms Weeks said she was called at 3.30am on Tuesday by her mother, who was worried she might hear the news of her brother's death from the media.

Malaysia Airlines said in a statement that where possible they had informed the almost 1000 family members either in person or by telephone, and only used text messages where necessary.

Paul Weeks, a 39-year-old mechanical engineer based in Perth, was travelling to Mongolia for his first shift in a fly-in-fly-out job.

Ms Weeks said it had been a nightmare not knowing and the family still didn't have any closure as so much was unexplained.

"The not knowing is awful and, to be honest, we still don't know. They haven't given us any tangible evidence on how they know that plane is there,'' she told More FM in New Zealand.

"To just ... say everyone's dead, that's where the plane is, without offering up any sort of evidence, it has been really difficult.''

Malaysia Airlines will fly Sara Weeks to Perth to be with Mrs Weeks and her two sons Lincoln, 3, and Jack, 11 months.

Mr Weeks left his wedding ring and watch at home before setting off, Mrs Weeks has said.

Ms Weeks hopes to meet some of the other families who've lost loved ones on the flight.

Danica and Paul Weeks, who was one of two New Zealanders on the plane, moved to Perth from Christchurch after the earthquakes of 2011.

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Why this is Abbott’s worst week

PM Tony Abbott complains that Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is humming 'Rule Britannia' at him during Question Time.

Grimace: Prime Minister Tony Abbott was not impressed in Question Time yesterday. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

TONY Abbott is having his worst week since he became Prime Minister because he is straying from the sacred "core issues" of his party.

The Prime Minister's rash plan to change the Racial Discrimination Act and his revival of knighthoods were not treasured policies of the Liberal Party waiting for implementation.

They were personal indulgences Mr Abbott shared with a bunch of blokes he occasionally had a beer with.

To knights and dames: Prime Minister Tony Abbott raises a toast to outgoing Governor-General Quentin Bryce. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

And because he initiated ventures which hadn't been inspected or sanctioned by the broad Liberal Party — or even with his own MPs, in the case of the knighthoods — he quickly was in political trouble.

He has become the subject of open ridicule from coast to coast, even from fellow Liberals.

It is particularly painful for a man who has enjoyed the role as the most successful Liberal leader since John Howard.

Mr Abbott is tough enough to withstand being called a bully, or even cruel. But he doesn't like being ridiculed.

If anyone doubts this, they just need to refer to Question Time yesterday when the Prime Minister rose to complain that Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was humming Rule Britannia at him.

Just dandy: Bill Shorten can't believe his luck. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

It was a display of excessive sensitivity — to a low-grade taunt — unworthy of a Prime Minister.

Certainly of one who this week argued people shouldn't think they need to be protected from being offended.

That incident was the result of jibes by Mr Shorten over the return of knights and dames.

Disagrees with Mr Abbott's knights and dames decision: Prime Minister John Howard. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

Much more serious for Mr Abbott will be the fate of his changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. His original intentions have been watered down. But that is still unacceptable to his top adviser on Indigenous affairs, the Jewish community and to some of his backbench MPs.

If the Prime Minister wants to get changes of some sort through he will have to deal with Government MPs considering crossing the floor on the issue.

The same goes to changes in rules covering financial advisers and obligations to clients.

Meanwhile, the Labor Opposition can't believe its luck.

Nobody could claim Mr Shorten has the Government by the throat. Mr Abbott's problems are self inflicted but the Opposition is delighted to take advantage.

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Being racist is getting very easy

He's has a long and distinguished career as one of Australia's top Indigenous athletes, but it is Adam Goodes' tireless work in the wider community tackling racism and inequality that has seen him named 2014 Australian of the Year.

The moment a teenager yells out "ape" to Sydney Swans footballer Adam Goodes. Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIAN of the Year Adam Goodes would have had no cause to point out the fan who called him an ape under the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

According to Amnesty International Australia's legal spokeswoman Katie Wood, the Sydney Swans star "wouldn't be able to make a complaint under the new proposal" if he was racially vilified like he was during the AFL's Indigenous round last year.

"It would be a bit tricky," Ms Wood told news.com.au.

"An ordinary person sitting on a bus who is racially vilified by somebody random wouldn't have that spotlight available to them. That's why it's important that they have the opportunity to make a complaint through the Racial Discrimination Act."

At the time, a shattered Goodes, of Indigenous descent, said his superb performance meant "nothing" after the racist taunt by a 13-year-old girl in the crowd.

"To come to the boundary line and hear a 13-year-old girl call me an ape is absolutely shattering," an emotional Goodes said.

"How can that happen? This week is a celebration of our people and our culture.

"To play such a pivotal role in such a huge game sort of means nothing to me now."

MORE: ADAM GOODES 'HEARTBROKEN' OVER TAUNT

MORE: GOVT'S MEDIA RELEASE RE: DISCRIMINATION ACT

Goodes points security to the teenager who called him an "ape". Source: Supplied

The moment Goodes is called an "ape". Source: Supplied

Security remove the teenager from the stadium upon erquest by Adam Goodes. Source: Supplied

Earlier this week the Attorney-General George Brandis released a draft proposal to the Racial Discrimination Act, first imposed by the Whitlam government in 1975.

The Act hasn't been updated since 1995 and the Abbott government feel like its time to spruce it up.

Mr Brandis argues the current laws amount to "political censorship", while the proposed laws "are the strongest protections against racism that have ever appeared in any Commonwealth Act".

"It is not, in the Government's view, the role of the State to ban conduct merely because it might hurt the feelings of others," he said.

Problem is, the proposed changes are causing quite a stir, sparking a heated national debate that has us questioning what it means to be a bigot.

MORE: BRANDIS SAYS 'PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE BIGOTS'

MORE: INDIGENOUS ADVISORY URGES ABBOTT TO DROP CHANGES

MORE: VIEW GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSED CHANGES

'Racism has a face. It's a 13-yo girl,' Swans champ Adam Goodes tells of the shattering moment he heard a racial slur from the boundary line.

Here's how it works.

The draft proposes to repeal Section 18C of the Act, which makes it unlawful for someone to "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate" a person based on the colour of their skin or their cultural background.

Within that section, the government wants to remove the words "offend, insult and humiliate", while retaining "intimidate" and adding "vilify".

Along with removing Section 18C, other sections are out to get cut, including 18D, which protects freedom of speech.

Section 18B, which allows race or colour as cause for hate speech, and 18E are also in the firing line.

MORE: THIS IS ABBOTT'S WORST WEEK

Political editor Tory Shepherd and Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi discuss whether the government's decision to change section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act is the right move.

But a sneaky passage has critics concerned.

The draft excuses "words, sounds, images or writing" in "the public discussion of any political, social, cultural, religious, artistic, academic or scientific matter".

The issue with this, according to Ms Wood, is the difficulty the public could face proving a person was racially vilified.

"It's protecting people who have the biggest mouthpiece, but not the ordinary person who gets insulted on a bus.

"What it is seeking to do is to deprive the ordinary person of an opportunity to hold to account the person who uttered the language in a way that's accessible, that doesn't place a burden on the courts and captures what it means to be racially vilified.

"[The [victim] would have to say the person who used the language was trying to incite racial hatred against you and that you felt intimidated, but you're more likely to feel humiliated.

"The ordinary racist language that people regrettably indulge in would have the effect of humiliate, insult and offend and that is equally unacceptable as feeling intimidated."

The Attorney-General Senator George Brandis has been highly criticised regarding the reforms to the Racial Discrimination Act 1995. Source: News Corp Australia

It's important to note the changes haven't been approved by the Senate yet.

Mr Brandis has to convince the floor the proposed changes are a good idea, considering the Greens and Labor deeply oppose.

Independent MP Nick Xenophon also joins that list, so it looks like the swing vote may very well end up in the hands of the Palmer United Party.

"First of all we will determine what our position is,'' Clive Palmer said.

"We will be strategic about determining the right time to reveal our position."

The government is calling for submissions on the exposure draft before April 30, before the Senate will vote on the changes after it reconvenes on May 13 after a six-week hiatus.

But with many, including Ms Wood, arguing the Act is "not what Australia is about", Mr Brandis has a tough gig ahead of him.

Critics of Tony Abbott are saying this has been the PM's worst week in office. Source: News Corp Australia

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