LONDON (AFP) - News International confirmed Friday it would pay 2 million to the family of a murdered girl at the heart of Britain's phone-hacking scandal, just hours before Rupert Murdoch faces angry shareholders. In a joint statement with the family of Milly Dowler, Murdoch said he would personally donate 1 million ($1.6 million, 1.15 million euros) to charities chosen by the family, saying it "underscores my regret" for the actions of the now-defunct News of the World. Murdoch closed down the top-selling Sunday tabloid in July but faces a rocky ride Friday at his News Corporation's annual shareholders' meeting in Los Angeles, with calls for him and his sons to be ousted.