Australia divides search area into east & west sectors

Australia has divided the search area for debris from the Malaysia Airlines MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean into east and west sectors.  [Special coverage]

Australian authorities say the new area is roughly 1,000 nautical miles northeast from the current search area.

Thursday's air search for the missing flight came to an end after weather conditions in the southern Indian Ocean deteriorated. Authorities suspended the search operation on Thursday afternoon and ordered all aircraft to head back to the air force base in Perth. Vessels, on the other hand, were asked to continue to search in the target areas. A total of 11 aircraft searched in waters some 2,500 kilometers southwest of Perth on Thursday.