President Jonathan’s N9bn jet develops technical problem in Minna

President Jonathan and some top government officials yesterday Saturday March 8th escaped an air mishap at the Minna Airport, Niger State, when a presidential jet developed a technical fault, while they were aboard, Punch reports. Find full report below...

The presidential jet, Nigerian Air Force 001 (5N-FGT), had earlier conveyed Jonathan to Minna for the -Peoples Democratic Party’s North-Central rally which held at the Trade Fair Centre, Minna.

At the end of the rally, the President returned to the airport in company with top government officials, PDP state governors and party chiefs for a trip to Sokoto, from where he was scheduled to return to Abuja.

However, several minutes after Jonathan had bade farewell to those who accompanied him to the airport, and the door of the aircraft was shut, the aircraft failed to move.

After many attempts, crew members and engineers disembarked from the aircraft and made spirited efforts to fix the fault as armed security men took strategic positions around it.

While this was going on, Vice-President Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, David Mark; all PDP governors, members of the National Assembly and members of the Federal Executive Council were watching under the scorching sun.

When it became obvious that the fault could not be easily fixed, the commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Vice Marshal Uko Ebong, ordered that a smaller presidential jet, 5N-FGW, which conveyed the Vice-President to the state be brought to fly Jonathan.

Jonathan disembarked from the faulty jet at about 3.30pm and quickly moved to the smaller aircraft.

He later left the airport in the smaller aircraft at about 3:35pm, leaving behind some of his co-occupants in the bigger jet.

Sambo also had to join Mark in another smaller presidential jet, 5N-FGV, which had earlier conveyed the Senate President to the state. Senator Barnabas Gemade and a few other dignitaries also joined them.

Those who were with the President in the faulty aircraft before they disembarked included the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu; Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Tony Anenih; former chairman of the party,  Ahmadu Ali; former  Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, and some presidential aides.

At the time of filing this report, engineers were still battling with the faulty jet on the tarmac in the deserted airport while officials of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria were seen taking notes.

Some security men were left behind to keep watch on the aircraft.

When asked for what was wrong with the aeroplane, an official of FAAN simply said, “The return engine refused to pick.”

Another source who pleaded anonymity, said the hot temperature in the city led to the fault.

“What the commander said was that the high temperature affected the engine of the aircraft,” he said.

When asked why the hot weather did not affect the two other presidential jets, the source explained that the Air Force 001 is “more digitalised than others.”

The incident occurred despite the fact that in the past four years, at least N48bn has been allocated to the Presidential Air Fleet, a range of 11 luxurious aircraft which are at the disposal of the President.

According to the 2014 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan through the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in December 2013, a total of N4.91bn was earmarked for the Presidential Air Fleet.

For the maintenance of the 10 aircraft currently in the Presidential Air Fleet, N1.52bn was allocated.

This was apart from the N747m earmarked for the purchase of aviation fuel for the aircraft already in the fleet.

The government earmarked the sum of N2.66bn for other expenses on the PAF, including international trainings for the fleet’s personnel, rehabilitation/renovation/repairs of the PAF Barracks, completion of a hangar project, tyre bay tools and equipment, insurance premium, cleaning and fumigation services, 797 units of LG 2HP air conditioners for the PAF Barracks and refreshment and meals.

For the year 2013, a total of N7.5bn was allocated the Presidential Air Fleet, while in 2012, N15.6m was allocated for personnel costs; N969m for overheads, which included spare parts, checks, aviation fuel; and N16.8bn was allocated for a brand new plane for the presidency.

In 2011, an N18bn allocation to the PAF was tucked under a N105bn budgetary allocation to the “Intelligence Community.”

Also, in the 2010 proposal, the Presidency had proposed the acquisition of four new aircraft for the presidential fleet and had made a budget provision of N23.4bn in that budget for them.

Experts have put the combined estimated value of the 10 planes in the presidential fleet at about $390.5m (N60.53bn).

All the Glitz & Glam: Official photos from 2014 AMVCAs

The 2014 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards held last night in Lagos and it was a colourful and glamorous event. See all the fun and red carpet photos after the cut...

Boko Haram confesses before T.B Joshua, reveals failed plans to bomb the church

I have my reservations about all these confessions and deliverance...but some of you will find this interesting. Report sent in by freelance journalist, Ihechukwu Njoku. Find it below...

A member of the dreaded Boko Haram sect confessed before Pastor T.B. Joshua of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) today, revealing how their plan to bomb the popular church in Lagos was thwarted.

In a broadcast beamed live via the Christian station, Emmanuel TV, late into the afternoon, Joshua announced to the congregation that a young man had a confession to make.

“My name is Mustapha. I come from Yola, Adamawa State. I am a member of Boko Haram,”he began, sending the congregation into uproar. “Boko Haram is a cult. We have killed many souls,” he confessed.  

Probed further about the process through which he joined Boko Haram, Mustapha explained, “When I joined this cult, they wrote something with Arabic Language. After writing it, they washed it and I drunk it. That is the day I had the mind to kill souls.”

Questioned by Joshua as to his intention of being in the church, the secret sect member explained it was his first time in Lagos. “We were five in number,” he continued. “We dropped at the junction opposite from the church. There was a man who used to sell something opposite the church here. He is selling sweets, soap and cigarettes. I met the man and asked him to help me keep the bag I was carrying. It contained some instruments – bombs, to destroy people.”

However, Mustapha said the local trader refused to collect the bag. “We decided to sit down and eat before going on our mission here. Our plan was to take souls, to destroy at this Synagogue Church.”

The Boko Haram member explained that activating the bomb was a matter of joining wires, adding that they had the ability to time the bomb. “We can set it to explode in one minute or ten minutes. We planned to set it for five minutes and immediately leave the place. All the souls will go.”

However, whilst sitting down to eat with his colleagues at a restaurant opposite the popular church in Ikotun-Egbe, Mustapha recounted a strange incident. “They brought food for us and we were eating. At that place, they had television. We were watching the television and discussing. It was Emmanuel TV – I saw you (T.B. Joshua) preaching to people”.

Mustapha had never been in church before and had no idea who T.B. Joshua was. “By the time you prayed and laid hands on the screen, it was like you were there with us and you joined our midst. As you laid your hands on the screen, you laid your hands on our face. That was when confusion came between us; everybody scattered,” he confessed.

“Since that day, I wanted to go home but I am not fit. Any time I lie down, I will be seeing you (T.B. Joshua) in my dream. You are disturbing me. I don’t know what I did to you. The thing is bothering me too much.”

Asked to explain further, Mustapha revealed, “In my dream yesterday, you told me that the group of Boko Haram would not exist again. I want to go but I don’t have the spirit to do it again. I don’t sleep in the night; I always see you. You are disturbing me. You keep praying for me and laying hands on me. I want to sleep well. I cannot close my eyes without seeing you (T.B. Joshua). Please, help me.”

Several hours later, Joshua readdressed the issue and brought the young man forward again, stating that God had warned him of the impending attack several weeks ago, prompting him to go into intense prayers.

“I have been in a serious battle for the past two weeks. Those who looked at my knees yesterday will know that this is what I wore last week,” Joshua stated, explaining that he wore the same jeans for the past few weeks which were clearly soiled from prayer sessions.

“It was not a surprise to me because I have seen it. My mission is to separate him from the spirit that is controlling him to do that. We are not to fight mere flesh and blood,” the pastor explained.  

Mustapha reiterated his plight. “I cannot sleep or close my eyes. Even now, I am feeling a headache because I have not slept at night. Anytime I lie down and I want to sleep, I will see you in my dream, praying for me and disturbing me.”

As T.B. Joshua prayed, the Boko Haram member fell violently on the floor. He managed to get back up but fell again at the prayer of Joshua. He then began to vomit some strange substances. Joshua noticed the tattoo of a scorpion emblazoned on his shoulder and asked for its meaning. “This is the tattoo they gave to me in the cult. All of us have this tattoo.”

Asked whether he had ever encountered such a scenario before, Mustapha, who explained it was his very first time in a church, confessed, “We have never failed before. There is an operation we did at an airforce base in Maiduguri recently. Even we went to Adamawa State in Michika two weeks ago. We have never failed.”

Stretching his hand towards Mustapha again, Joshua prayed once again and the young man fell to the floor. As he got up slowly from the floor, tears were in the eyes of Mustapha. “The spirit leading him to kill is gone,” Joshua declared to applause from the onlookers.  Looking intently at him, Joshua, who is well known for his prophecies, stated, “There is one set of beads you used to wear.” Mustapha looked shocked. “Yes, I used to wear it before. How did you know that I am wearing something?” The young man was then away from the public.

2 South African policemen caught on video brutalising Nigerian

The latest is that the two cops will be charged to court Monday

Two South African police officers who were allegedly caught on video taking part in the beating and stripping of an unarmed Nigerian on a Cape Town street have been arrested, the police watchdog said on Saturday.

The Independent Police Directorate said the officers, aged 42 and 45 years old, would appear in court on Monday on charges of assault.

On Friday, video footage showing two armed uniformed policemen and private guards punching and kicking a man on a Cape Town street went viral, prompting public outrage.
The Nigerian being brutalised by Cape Town police

The Nigerian being brutalised by Cape Town police

The Nigerian was named Clement Emekensha.

“The arrest would not have happened without the vigilance of the public,” said Moses Dlamini, the spokesman for the police watchdog.

He said other charges may be added.
In the video, a security guard ripped the shirt-less man’s trousers off and then a police officer repeatedly punched and kicked the man in the groin. Another officer held the man by the neck.

His underpants came off as the beating continued, before he was loaded into a police car.

Western Cape police said the guards had not yet been arrested.

South Africa’s police are frequently embroiled in allegations of brutality, yet prosecutions rarely occur.

Last year, Mozambican national Mido Macia, died after being dragged behind a moving police patrol van in a town east of Johannesburg.

Nine officers are standing trial for his killing.

N29bn Pension Fund: Okonjo-Iweala, AGF, Others Summoned

The House of Representatives has uncovered another alleged scam where N29 Billion Police Pension fund kept in a commercial bank was diverted for other capital projects.

To this end, the House committee on Pension has summoned the minister of Finance and coordinating minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the accountant general of the Federation, Mr Jonah Otunla and the director general of the Budget Office, Bright Okogwu to explain why the money was re-appropriated without approval of the National Assembly.

Chairman of the committee, Hon Mohammed Bawa while issuing the summon yesterday in the National Assembly also added that if the panel fails to get a satisfactory explanation on why the money was moved, they would resolve to hold a public hearing on the matter.

Speaking in defence of the action, the director general of the Pension Transition Arrangement Department, Ncllie Mayshak, assured the committee that there was no cause for alarm as the funds were moved from a commercial bank to an account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since it was not in use.

She said, “The Accountant General have a way of re-appropriating money from one sector to another for optimal use,”

Going further, Mayshak also added that the minister of Finance has just granted a request to unfreeze another N2.5 billion pension account  because of the shortage of money needed to pay pensioners.

A Malaysian Boeing 777 With 239 Passengers Feared Plunged Into Pacific Ocean

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing went missing over the South China Sea on Saturday, prompting China to send ships to scour the water for possible wreckage.

The airline, speaking several hours after the plane had been due to land in the Chinese capital, said it was still too early to say whether the aircraft had crashed. It said there had been no distress signal and it cited early speculation that the plane may have landed in Nanming in southern China.

As news of the disappearance filtered through to distraught friends and relatives who had been waiting for the flight to arrive in Beijing, Malaysia Airlines said it was still investigating and took no questions at a brief news conference.

Flight MH370, operating a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, last had contact with air traffic controllers 120 nautical miles off the east coast of the Malaysian town of Kota Bharu, Malaysia Airlines chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said in a statement read to the news conference in Kuala Lumpur.

A possible relative of a passenger on board the aircraft cries in Beijing

Malaysia and Vietnam were conducting a joint search and rescue, he said but gave no details. China has also sent two maritime rescue ships to the South China Sea to help in any rescue, state television said on one of its microblogs.

“We are extremely worried,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters in Beijing. “The news is very disturbing. We hope everyone on the plane is safe.”

The flight left Kuala Lumpur at 12.21 a.m. (11.21 a.m. ET Friday) but no trace had been found of the plane hours after it was due to land in the Chinese capital at 6.30 a.m. (5.30 p.m. ET Friday) the same day.

“We deeply regret that we have lost all contacts with flight MH370,” Jauhari said.

Ahmad Jauhari yahya, CEO Malaysian Airlines addresses the media in Kuala Lumpur, Saturday morning

Malaysia Airlines said people from 14 nationalities were among the 227 passengers, including at least 152 Chinese, 38 Malaysians, 12 Indonesians, six Australians and three Americans. It also said a Chinese infant and an American infant were on board.

If the plane is found to have crashed, the loss would mark the second fatal accident involving a Boeing 777 in less than a year, after an unblemished safety record since the jet entered service in 1995.

An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777-200ER crash-landed in San Francisco in July 2013, killing three passengers and injuring more than 180.

Boeing said it was aware of reports that the Malaysia Airlines plane was missing and was monitoring the situation but had no further comment. The flight was operating as a China Southern Airlines codeshare.

FAILED TO CHECK IN

An official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said the plane had failed to check in as scheduled at 1721 GMT while it was flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh city.

The Boeing 777-200ER has a range of 14,305 km (7,725 miles). While the fate of flight MH370 remains unclear, flight tracking website flightaware.com showed that it flew northeast over Malaysia after takeoff and climbed to an altitude of 35,000 feet.

The flight vanished from the website’s tracking records a minute later while it was still climbing.

If it has crashed, the United States could have a role in any investigation because the plane was built there, said Kelly Nantel, a spokeswoman for the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

“We won’t know who would lead the investigation until the location is identified,” she said.

Buhari Attacks Boko Haram

In an exclusive and wide ranging interview with Sahara TV, General Muhammadu Buhari said that he is a man with no fear, and that he was confident in Nigeria’s future.

His comments on the current state of affairs covered politics, recent disclosures of the alleged wide -ranging theft by Sani Abacha, a former head of state, the upcoming National conference, and whether he is considering yet another run for office in 2015.

But perhaps the most surprising comments during the wide topic Skype interview with Sahara TV, were the former General’s comments, and his posture of walking in confidence. This comes in spite of being a major target of Nigeria’s most vicious terrorist group, Boko Haram. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said that he has no fear of Boko Haram.

“I am not bothered by them (targeting me,”) said the general who describes himself as a proud Muslim. The resident of Nigeria’s northwestern region said that the “government has given me adequate protection,” even amid recent strikes by the Boka Haram that has left carnage in much of the northeast.

Muhammadu Buhari took sharp aim at what he called the cowardly targeting of children in playgrounds, school students eating lunch, and shoppers at souks, by the radical Islamist group.

In a recent interview with the Voice of America, the general referred to Boko Haram as “Devilish,” and he did not let up when pressed further by Sahara TV’s Rudolf Okonkwo. “Nigeria has the capacity to nip this in the bud,” he said, adding that one way to fight the group, and other would-be terrorists organizations is coming to agreements with neighboring countries, like Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic over the unauthorized circulation of weaponry, and training grounds.

In perhaps his most surprising comments about Boko Haram, he compared the group with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the tenure of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The two groups, he noted, were similar, and so are the comparisons of issues surrounding the Nigerian army’s tarnished reputation fighting the group, and its relationship with average citizens. The same criticisms of rape, brutality, and distain of the public were leveled against the British forces, as is the case now with the Nigerian army.

2015: Okorocha Opts For Re-elections, Set To Dump Presidential Ambition

Fresh report by The Nation indicates that Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha may have dropped his presidential ambition, opting for a re-election.

Although the decision has not been informed officially yet, it was gathered that such a move could have been reached after pressure on him to seek a second tenure.

First indications of Okorocha’s change in heart appeared while he was speaking in a media chat with reporters at the Government House, Owerri.

The official hinted that he might stay back to lead PDP’s renewed plot to take over the state. He was quoted saying:

“I think I may stay back to protect the state from these men, because if I am away, they will come and hijack the state, but if I am around, they know they can’t come back to the state after all they did in the past. The indigenes are mounting pressure that I stay back to continue the good work. If not, I would have gone to take my rightful place.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said although the Imo people had been pressuring Okorocha to seek re-election, he was still consulting on his presidential ambition.

Russia's Failure in the Ukraine

Timid mice in Congress cringe in fear and bluster with outrage at Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. Seldom known for bravery and nearly always known for outraged bluster, Congress better find a spine. The United States, especially Congress, requires a reality check. Even at the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union was both an economic and military basket case. Russia is but a mere shadow of the former Soviet Union. Here is where the danger lies.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian citizen's world changed almost overnight. Russians, long forced to embrace both poverty and a failed society, still possessed tremendous pride as part of a respected and feared superpower. Following the collapse of that superpower, Russians found the pride gone while the poverty and failed society remained. Putin maintains power by promising a return to those past glory days. The promise is hollow.

Putin's invasion of the Crimea is already costing Russia dearly. President Obama is steering the correct course when he strengthens the region to offset Russian 'exercises' but the real punishment here will be financial and sanctions. Remember, you can't even compare the Russian economy to that of the U.S. -- it isn't even close. OneForbes writer called it a pre-Eisenhower economy as comparison. The Russian military is little better. According to Forbes' Michael Adomanis, the Russian economy is best summed up by:

...But the fact that Russia is now, roughly speaking, at the level of economic development which characterized the U.S. before Eisenhower became president should give us a little bit of perspective...

U.S. Saber Rattling

Apparently, Osama bin Laden thought of President Obama in the same way as Republicans claim Putin thinks of him -- A huge mistake then; a huge mistake now. However, Russia is not going to lose its strategically vital warm water seaport. Putin knows his military is no match for that of the U.S. and her allies but he is also fairly certain that we will not go to war over this grab. Where the failed Bush regime saber rattled in vain over Putin's invasion of Georgia, President Obama sent some jets to the region but has begun far more damaging sanctions and other actions against the Russian economy. Will Obama be effective? Time will tell but looking at the value of the ruble, he has already hurt the Russians.

Foreign policy is the art of the possible. U.S. credibility as a just nation is seriously damaged from two unnecessary wars conducted badly, not to mention torture and Guantanamo. Yes, Iraq and Guantanamo are but two examples that apply here. Iraq was a unilateral, national decision to invade and destroy another government. Guantanamo applies because it remains a U.S. base solely because of American military might. Russia maintains a large naval base and military presence in the Crimea since at least the 1700s. If the Ukraine embraces the EU, those bases and Russian national security will be in jeopardy. These are the issues put simply.

What Lies Ahead

The Ukraine, essentially voting with its feet to embrace the west over Russia, is a huge blow to Putin. The West cannot allow itself to be bullied into acceptance of Russian intervention or more upheaval and power grabs are likely. President Obama learned this lesson domestically confronting congressional Republican ultimatums threatening to default on U.S. debt. Republican leaders' calls for failed Bush/Cheney style saber rattling will work as well now as they did in Georgia where they failed massively. Putin ignored them. This is not about U.S. strength or weakness but rather about Russian vulnerability and failure.

The Obama administration's emphasis on rational and smart diplomacy remains the correct course. No need to back Putin into a corner, when he has already painted himself into one. This move is catastrophic for both Putin and Russia. The task now is to impose significant pressure and costs on Russia for its actions in the Crimea while offering a path to restored respectability.

Long after this crisis, if the Ukraine is transformed into a prosperous state similar to Poland, the world will have a real victory. Putin's invasion is an admission of weakness -- their economy and society simply cannot compete with that of Western Europe. Putin knows it and tries to hide it. This is the time for the West to display solid resolve coupled with a willingness to negotiate a reasonable solution.

12 Biggest Dog Breeds: Imposing and Forceful

Bigger is not always better, but it is always impressive. People have been intrigued by giant-size dogs for millennia, keeping them to guard family, flocks and property and to hunt big game. Giant breeds often possess tender, loving temperaments, but before you get one, remember to factor in the costs associated with keeping one. In terms of food, veterinary bills and space, the costs can be gigantic. Here's our take on a dozen towering dogs.

Great DaneGreat Dane (photo credit: Eva Maria Kramer, Animal Photography/vetstreet.com)

Because of his majestic appearance, the Great Dane is sometimes nicknamed "king of dogs." His size belies his gentle nature, but beware of his thwacking tail, which can clear a coffee table in seconds or knock the unwary off their feet. Possibly created by blending the Irish Wolfhound and the Mastiff, the Great Dane was originally used to hunt boar and guard estates, but these days, he's a family dog. Male Great Danes stand at least 30 inches tall and weigh a minimum of 120 pounds. Females are at least 28 inches tall and weigh a minimum of 100 pounds.

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound, which is now more often found as family companion than bane of wolf pack, is described as having "great size and commanding appearance." He is the tallest of dogs, but not the heaviest. When full grown, a male Irish Wolfhound looms over other dogs, standing at least 32 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds. Females are a minimum of 30 inches and 105 pounds.

SEE ALSO: 11 Tiny Dog Breeds With Big Personalities

Mastiff

It's possible that this breed's name comes from the Latin word massivus, meaning massive. It's certainly an appropriate description for a dog with a minimum height of 30 inches at the shoulder for males and 27.5 inches for females. Mastiffs have a weight range of 120 to 200 pounds or more.

Saint BernardSaint Bernard (photo credit: Thinkstock)

The Saint's large size and thick coat helped him to rescue stranded travelers in the snowy Alps and take them to the Saint Bernard hostelry where they could be cared for. Now he spends his days snuggling with family members and keeping their hearts warm. Saint Bernards stand 25.5 to 27.5 inches tall and weigh 130 to 180 pounds.

Black Russian Terrier

Created in the erstwhile Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War to be a guard dog, the Black Russian Terrier has moved from military to civilian life as a welcomed family companion and guardian. Breeds used in its creation include the Airedale, the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland and the Caucasian Ovtcharka. Males stand 27 to 30 inches tall and weigh 110 to 132 pounds. Females are 26 to 29 inches tall and weigh 100 to 110 pounds.

LeonbergerLeonberger (photo credit: Lee Feldstein, Animal Photography/vetstreet.com)

At least three big breeds went into the creation of the Leonberger: the Newfoundland, the Saint Bernard and the Great Pyrenees. No one really knows the "canine recipe" used by Heinrich Essig, but the result was a dog who at maturity stands 28 to 31.5 inches and weighs 120 to 170 pounds. Females are 25.5 to 29.5 inches tall and weigh 100 to 135 pounds.

Newfoundland

The water-loving Newfoundland originally hauled in nets for fishermen, which often required swimming long distances, pulling heavy loads, and rescuing people at risk of drowning. Among his distinctive characteristics are a massive head, webbed feet and a water-resistant double coat. Males have an average height of 28 inches and weigh 130 to 150 pounds. Females average 26 inches and 100 to 120 pounds.

Great Pyrenees

A flock guardian of French origin, the Great Pyrenees is distinguished by a thick, beautiful white coat. The breed once guarded the king of France and is still territorial in defense of family and property. Males stand 27 inches to 32 inches tall and weigh 100 to 140 pounds. Females are 25 inches to 29 inches tall and weigh 85 to 110 pounds.

Scottish DeerhoundScottish Deerhound (photo credit: Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography/vetstreet.com)

This giant breed strode into the world's view when GCh. Foxcliffe Hickory Wind ran away with the top dog title at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club show. The lithe and lanky Scottish Deerhound, once bred to bring down stags in the Scottish highlands, is 28 to 32 inches tall, sometimes more, and weighs 75 to 110 pounds.

Kuvasz

The Hungarian cousin of the Great Pyrenees, the Kuvasz also has a history as a flock guardian. The white-coated breed is thought to have originated in Turkey but was brought to Hungary with Ottoman invaders. The Kuvasz male stands 28 to 30 inches at the shoulder and weighs 100 to 115 pounds. Females are 26 to 28 inches and weigh 70 to 90 pounds.

Anatolian Shepherd

This Turkish flock-guarding dog warned off wolves and other predators and still works in that capacity today. He's also a fine family protector in the right home. Anatolian Shepherd males stand 29 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110 to 150 pounds. Females are 27 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 80 to 120 pounds.

Neapolitan MastiffNeapolitan Mastiff (photo credit: Ron Willbie, Animal Photography/vetstreet.com)

You wouldn't want to run into the Neo, as he's nicknamed, in a dark alley. His wrinkled, scowling face, plastered onto a massive head, and his massive body are enough to give any evildoer second thoughts - fast! Neapolitan Mastiffs range in height from 24 to 31 inches and weigh 110 to 150 pounds or more.

R-E-L-I-E-F! No more surgery for Balogun

Fortuna Dusseldorf and new Super Eagles right back, Leon Balogun, will after all not undergo surgery on his injured right foot, German medics ruled at the weekend.

An excited Balogun said from his German base on Sunday that when he went for a second check on his injury he was told by doctors that the injury he sustained in the friendly against Mexico last Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia, United States is not as serious as previously envisaged hence there will be no need for surgery.

“They told me that the two bones broken are in the base of my foot, which will heal on their own and will not require me to undergo any surgical operation. I was also told that within six weeks I should be in good condition and another two or four weeks for rehabilitation. Overall I should be back kicking the ball by the time the national team returns to camp”, he declared.

Already, treatment for the 25 year defence ace has already began in German and the Nigerian medics are also keeping a close tab on his treatment. “Yes, I have been in touch with Dr Ibrahim Gyaran, team administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor and I must say I am totally overwhelmed by the show of love by Nigerians and fans across the world. I remain committed to overcome this initial setback and return quickly for the World Cup preparations”, he said.

He said he will keep fit while recuperating by visiting the gym regularly. “I just hope I don’t look too muscular when I resume training, but I will keep fit while I try to get myself ready for future challenges”, he said laughing.

Malaysia Airlines flight 'presumed crashed'

Air and marine search for plane missing on way to Beijing with 239 people onboard continues in sea south of Vietnam.

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew has gone missing over the South China Sea, presumed crashed. 

The airline on Saturday said search and rescue teams from countries closest to the missing plane's flight path had been sent to scour a large area near its last known location. 

‏Vietnam said its rescue planes spotted two large oil slicks in the sea and it was sending boats to the area.

"Two of our aircraft sighted two oil slicks around 15 to 20km long, running parallel, around 500 metres apart from each other," the army's deputy chief of staff, Vo Van Tuan, told state-run VTV.

A crash, if confirmed, would mark the United States-built Boeing 777-200ER airliner's deadliest incident since entering service 19 years ago.

Malaysia's flag carrier said flight MH370 disappeared, without giving a distress signal, at 2:40am local time on Saturday (18:40 GMT Friday), about two hours after leaving Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It had been due to arrive in Beijing at 6:30am local time on Saturday (22:30 GMT Friday).

Passports stolen

The flight was carrying 154 people from China or Taiwan, 38 Malaysians, seven Indonesians, six Australians and five Indians, the airline said.

There were also three US citizens, four from France, two passengers each from New Zealand, Ukraine, and Canada, and one each from Italy, the Netherlands, Russia and Austria, the airline said in a statement. 

However, Foreign Ministry officials in Rome and Vienna later said names of two nationals listed as passengers matched passports reported stolen in Thailand.

The Austrian, whose passport was stolen two years ago, was found safe at home, a ministry spokesman said.

Italian news agency ANSA said Luigi Maraldi called home after hearing reports that an Italian with his name was aboard the plane.

Al Jazeera's Rob McBride, reporting from Beijing, said that it is a very hard situation for the airline as it does not have the visual confirmation that its plane has crashed. "The company does not want to say so until it has confirmation," he said. 

Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, said that the search teams concentrate rescue efforts on the area where contact was last made with the aircraft.

"There are more than a dozen Malaysian planes involved in the search and rescue mission and about nine ships from the same country. Singapore and Vietnam are also involved in the mission. And the US is sending two ships," she said.

The airline said it was working with authorities in the search efforts to locate the aircraft.

No distress signal

Ross Aimer, a former pilot with United Airlines, told Al Jazeera it was highly unusual that air traffic control would lose contact with an aircraft without communication from the crew.

"The fact that there was absolutely no distress signal is very disturbing. This is almost unprecedented that we lose an aircraft in such a way … In that area of the world, over Vietnam, there is sporadic radar coverage to begin with," he said.

A report by China's Xinhua news agency said contact was lost with the plane while it was near Vietnamese airspace.

The airline's Kuala Lumpur-Beijing route passes roughly over the Indochinese Peninsula.