FIVE DIES IN A HELCOPTER CRASH

Five members of the South African military have died in a helicopter crash, officials said.

The aircraft was patrolling the Kruger National Park on Saturday evening looking for rhino poachers.

The patrol was routine and an investigation is under way.

The poaching of rhinos is rampant in South Africa. Their horns are sold in Asia, where some believe they have medicinal purposes, although there is no evidence to support it.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation quoted Brig Gen Xolani Mabanga as saying that the Agusta A1-0-9 light utility helicopter had come down at around 19:00 GMT on Saturday, killing all five people on board.

Gen Mabanga said the ministry of defence extended condolences to the families of the deceased, all members of the South African National Defence Force.

EASTER MEANS HE LIVES, BONMUSIC BLOG WISH YOU HAPPY EASTER

MSIMAMO WA EPL YA UINGEREZA

MSIMAMO WA LIGA BBVA YA SPAIN

MSIMAMO WA LIGUE 1 YA UFARANSA

MSIMAMO WA LIGI KUU UJERUMANI (BUNDESLIGA)

MATOKEO YA MECHI KUBWA ZA MARCH 30

SIR ALEX FERGUSON SALUTES SPIRIT IN MANCHESTER UNITED'S WIN OVER SUNDERLAND

Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to see Manchester United battle their way to three points at Sunderland and edge a step closer to the Premier League title.

United required a helping hand en route to claiming a seventh straight success in the league, and an 18-point lead at the summit, with a Titus Bramble own goal seeing them to a narrow 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland, who are scrapping for their lives towards the foot of the table, made life difficult for the Red Devils during a spirited second-half display and Ferguson admits his side had to dig deep to get over the line.

"I think the players have galvanised themselves - the team spirit, the concentration, the focus in every game."
Sir Alex Ferguson

He told Sky Sports: "It was a battling performance by the players. We picked up two or three injuries along the way and it was courage that got us through in the second half. It means we will go into the Man City game with at least a 15-point lead.

"The first half we did well, second half we give credit to Sunderland because they gave it a real go. I thought we had lost David de Gea for a moment, he was out for a few minutes, but he got up and has played a really great part for us.

LEGENDARY MUSIC PRODUCER PHIL RAMONE DIES AT 79

A former violin prodigy and expert engineer, he worked with Dylan, Sinatra, McCartney, Bennett, Charles, Streisand, Simon, Joel and Bacharach and spent more than 50 years in the business.

MOST SHARED STORY ABOUT NICKI MINAJ THIS WEEK

American Idol judge Nicki Minaj is declaring a Twitter war on ousted contestant Devin Velez for his less than gracious remarks following his ouster from the Fox reality show. In particular, she warned against complaining that the judges didn't use their "save" to spare him from getting the axe.