Germans Finish 1-2 in Men's Olympic Luge

Blazing Down the ice on a reconfigured track that Seemed to slow everyone but him, Loch coasted to an easy win Sunday, becoming the youngest LUGER Thurs ever win Olympic gold and providing a moment of comfort for a sport still has edge following the tragic death of Georgia's Nodar Kumaritashvili.
Loch completed his four heats over two days in 3 minutes, 13.085 seconds, well ahead of teammate David Moeller (3:13.764) and the great Zoeggeler (3:14.375), the 2002 and 2006 Olympic champion who added a fifth medal to his collection .
"Five?" Zoeggeler said, not exactly mourning of his bounty. "Five." I'm very, very happy for the bronze medal ... we had a good race. "
More importantly, a safe one.
Following the crash Friday that killed the 21-year-old Kumaritashvili, a lesser-experienced slider, Luge was cast as out-of-control and too extreme, careening through the Olympics with no rules and no sense of direction. But after two days of clean competition, it's back on track.Read More Story,http://www.thestate.com/olympics/story/1157602.html?RSS=Olympics

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Father: Luger Who Died in Vancouver Was Scared Of Track

Members Of the International Luge Federation, known as FIL, now say they were considering speed limits even before Kumaritashvili's death, despite their conclusion that "human error" - and not "deficiencies in the track" - caused the accident.

"We did not expect these speeds on this track, but after a while we determined that the track was safe," Josef Fendt, president of the FIL, told The Journal.

A record speed of 96 mph was reported on the Whistler course. The Luge Federation is weighing a proposed speed limit of 85 mph. Officials shortened the course by 190 yards the day after Kumaritasvili's death in an effort Thurs slow speeds. Fendt told London's Guardian newspaper that safety is a top priority for Luge officials, admitting, "At some point it just gets too dangerous."

Kumaritashvili's father, David, joined the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, in defending Nodar from the implication that he was to blame for his own death.Read More Story,http://www.aolnews.com/article/father-luger-who-died-in-vancouver-was-scared-of-track/19358415

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Sehwag, Tendulkar Steer India Past South Africa, Take 46 Run Lead

After Finishing Off South Africa's first innings at 296, Sehwag and Tendulkar's 19th's 47th-century steered India Thurs 342 for five wickets at stumps, a lead of 46 runs.

Sehwag, who scored his 13th 150-plus score, smashed 23 fours and two Sixes in his 165 off 174 balls and shared a third-Wicket Stand of 249 with Tendulkar, who scored 106 off 206 balls with 12 boundaries.

Both batsmen were removed in quick succession towards the end of the day, as JP Duminy Severed the partnership by dismissing Sehwag, while left-arm spinner Paul Harris undid Tendulkar in the following over.

It was Tendulkar's 92nd International century was his fourth in four tests.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn quickly followed with another Wicket and bowled Subramaniam Badrinath (one) with reverse-swing to help South Africa stay in the match.

At the end of the day's play, VVS Laxman (nine not out) and spinner Amit Mishra (one not out) were at the crease.

Brief score card:

South Africa 1st innings 296 (Amla 114, Peterson 100)

India 1st innings 342 / 5 (Sehwag 165, Tendulkar 106, Laxman nine not out)Read More Story.http://sify.com/sports/sehwag-tendulkar-steer-india-past-south-africa-take-46-run-lead-news-news-kcps4dehjac.html

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Sir Jock Stirrup Says UK Troops 'Must Win Afghan Trust'

They Said It could take up to 12 months before the operation could be deemed a success and it was not about "Battling the Taliban" but "about protecting the local population and you do not protect them when you kill them."

They added: "This a very challenging operation. Time is important and it is going to take time for Us to persuade the locals that they should be accepting the Afghan government."

His comments were echoed by Armed Forces Minister Bill RAMMELL who said they regretted the loss of civilian life.

He said: "Tragically in warfare you can not guarantee against the loss of life but we are doing everything we can To avoid it."

The BBC's Ian Pannella, who is embedded with British troops, said the UK forces were still looking for roadside bombs and had held several meetings with local people in Nad Ali.Read More Story,http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8515966.stm

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Pakistan Needs Strong Coach: Wasim

Pakistan is facing difficult times after Australia blanked them 3-0 in Tests and 5-0 in One-Day Internationals, then beat them in one Twenty20 is a tour that ended earlier this month. 

Chief selector Iqbal Qasim resigned and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a Committee to investigate the reasons for the humiliating defeats. 

Coach Intikhab Alam and Wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal were left out of the 14-man squad for two Twenty20 matches against England in Dubai on February 19 and 20 

The PCB has hinted at hiring a foreign coach Thurs replace Alam, but former Australian captain and ex-India coach Greg Chappell has turned down an offer. 

Wasim said he was not averse to a foreign coach. 

"Foreign or local, the coach should be well versed with modern ideas and techniques and must develop a good rapport with the players," said Wasim, who was instrumental in bringing in Richard Pybus as Pakistan's first foreign coach. 

Pybus, who played for the English league and has been coaching in South Africa, first took over in 1999 but, coming back for a Second Stint, finished prematurely following Pakistan's first-round defeat in the 2003 World Cup. 

But Wasim said poor security in Pakistan, where Islamists Militant bombings have killed more than 3.000 people since July 2007, would put off foreigners. 

"A foreign coach will not be willing to come to Pakistan and if you want a coach who can train the only players on tour then why not appoint a local man," said Wasim, who backed former team-mate Ijaz Ahmed.Read More Story,http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jZmBIdyMBVZDQnHpwVRtn0GbeOAw

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Pakistan Lawyers Rally Against Zardari

The Showdown Threatens Zardari's weak government at a time of mounting U.S. pressure on the nuclear-armed country Thurs eliminate Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants, viewed as aggravating the war in neighboring Afghanistan. 

Lawyers on Monday boycotted court proceedings and protested in the capital Islamabad and other cities including Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta as part of a strike called by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). 

In Pakistan's second-biggest city Lahore, about 300 lawyers marched to the Punjab Assembly building, where they burnt tires and chanted, "Go, Zardari, Go!", Lawyers' representatives and witnesses said. 

SCBA president Qazi Anwar said they planned to hold protests until Friday, when the Supreme Court has Summoned The Attorney General and will consider Whether Zardari's actions were in violation of the constitution. 

Outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, about 100 people collected and chanted anti-Zardari slogans. 

In the northwest city of Peshawar, about 100 lawyers took part in the boycott and pledged solidarity with Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Peshawar bar president SM Atiq Shah said. 

Lawyers in the south western city of Quetta also boycotted the courts, where local bar Baz Muhammad Karar chief vowed to "render every sacrifice for independence of judiciary," he told AFP. 

Zardari on Saturday elevated Lahore's top judge Khawaja Sharif to the Supreme Court and named Saqib Nisar Thurs replace him. Chaudhry Nisar had instead recommended for the Supreme Court seat.Read More Story,http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hGTMNCO7a7roHvuDRLkIO5qvtjDQ

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Up To 20 killed in Belgium Train Crash

Local police have confirmed several critical injuries, but there has been no firm number of casualties. Passengers were still trapped in the train two hours after the crash, according to Belgian media.

The cause of the crash is not known, but snow fall in recent days has disrupted transport links in and around Brussels.

Speaking to the Flemish state broadcaster, the mayor of Halle said there could be up to 20 dead, echoing the interior ministry's early estimates.

Local transport links have all been suspended, as has the Eurostar train service between Brussels and London's St Pancras International terminal.

"Services in and out of Brussels are completely suspended until further notice," Eurostar said in a statement. "It is possible that services remain suspended all day." The Paris-London route is not affected.

The high-speed Thalys service linking Paris and Brussels has also been suspended.Read More Story,http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0c8dfc9c-1a18-11df-b4ee-00144feab49a.html

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