WELLINGTON, Feb 23 (Reuters) – John Kirwan’s reign as Auckland Blues coach got off to a winning start with a deserved 34-20 bonus point victory over the Wellington Hurricanes in their Super Rugby opener in the New Zealand capital on Saturday. The former All Black great and Italy coach has been charged with reviving the fortunes of the three-time champions and there was much to please him about his team’s performance in a tough encounter at Wellington Regional Stadium. …
Iraq president's health improving, can now talk: doctor
KIRKUK, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is now able to talk, his doctor said, adding he was hopeful the Kurdish statesman would soon be fit to return to Iraq from Germany, where he has been receiving medical treatment for a stroke. A peace-maker who often mediated among Iraq's Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish factions, 79-year-old Talabani was flown abroad in December in critical condition. "I am in continuous contact with the German team treating President Talabani," said Najmaldin Karim, who is also governor of the city of Kirkuk. … UPDATE 1-Cricket-Clinical England win ODI series against New Zealand
* England’s bowlers ruthless as NZ crumble * McCullum produces second explosive innings (updates at end of match, adds quotes) AUCKLAND, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Eoin Morgan and Joe Root ensured England completed a comfortable five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third and final one day international match at Eden Park on Saturday to wrap up the series. Root (28 not out) and Morgan (39) built on the foundation laid by captain Alastair Cook (46) and Jonathan Trott (38) as England reached 186 for five in 37.3 overs to complete the 2-1 series victory. …
Rugby-Blues 34 Hurricanes 20 - Super Rugby result
WELLINGTON, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Auckland Blues (New Zealand) beat Wellington Hurricanes (New Zealand) 34-20 (halftime 11-13) in a Super Rugby match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday. Scorers: Blues – Tries: Frank Halai (2), Charles Piutau, Rene Ranger; Conversions: Piri Weepu; Penalties: Weepu (4). Hurricanes – Tries: Julian Savea, penalty try; Conversions: Beauden Barrett (2); Penalties: Barrett (2). (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Greg Stutchbury)
Cricket-New Zealand v England - 3rd ODI scoreboard
AUCKLAND, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Scoreboard at the end of thethird one day international between New Zealand and England atEden Park in Auckland on Saturday. England won the toss and opted to field. New Zealand BJ Watling c Swann b Finn 1 H. Rutherford c Buttler b Finn 2 K. Williamson c Buttler b Anderson 7 R. Taylor c Buttler b Broad 28 G. Elliott run out 24 B. McCullum c Anderson b Swann 79 J. Franklin c & b Swann 13 N. McCullum c Cook b Finn 4 A. Ellis c Woakes b Broad 9 K. Mills lbw b Woakes 2 T. Southee not out 5 Extras (lb-3, w-8) 11 Total (all out, 43. …
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea on Sunday warned the top U.S. military commander stationed in South Korea that his forces would "meet a miserable destruction" if they go ahead with scheduled military drills with South Korean troops, North Korean state media said. Pak Rim-su, chief delegate of the North Korean military mission to the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom, gave the message by phone to Gen. James Thurman, the commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, KCNA news agency said. … 
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) -- Hazratullah Khan, who lost his right leg below the knee in a car bombing, answers immediately when asked whether the Pakistani government should hold peace talks with Taliban leaders responsible for attacks like the one that maimed him.