Contenders and pretenders for NFL playoffs
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- With a month left in the regular season, the Packers, 49ers and Saints have separated themselves from the rest of the NFC, and perhaps the rest of the league. Green Bay and San Francisco already have
Planet in sweet spot of Goldilocks zone for life
By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- A newly discovered planet is eerily similar to Earth and is sitting outside our solar system in what seems to be the ideal place for life, except for one hitch. It's a bit too big. The planet is smac
Contenders and pretenders for NFL playoffs
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- With a month left in the regular season, the Packers, 49ers and Saints have separated themselves from the rest of the NFC, and perhaps the rest of the league. Green Bay and San Francisco already have
Drogba takes Chelsea into Champions League last 16
By ROB HARRIS AP Sports Writer LONDON (AP) -- With Chelsea's Champions League progress secured with a ruthless victory over Valencia, Andre Villas-Boas had the confidence -- after weeks of pent-up frustration -- to take on his critics. The manager declared
Despite army takeover, fear strong in Mexican town
By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN Associated Press CIUDAD MIER, Mexico (AP) -- Schoolchildren once again chatter and scamper across the town plaza where drug gang gunmen last year torched the police station and left the remains of a dismembered man. By night, towns
Eagles prepare for Vick's return against Dolphins
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Eagles are finally getting their quarterback back. Perhaps too little, too late. Michael Vick, the NFC's starting Pro Bowl quarterback a year ago, returned to practice Monday after missing three games with two broken ribs, and will
Lighting Niagara Falls has long, colourful history
By CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) -- You can't take a boat ride into the roar and spray of Niagara Falls in the winter, but this time of year offers a different spectacle: Nighttime illumination of the falls in a changing a
Global Witness quits blood diamonds regulator
By DONNA BRYSON Associated Press JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- A major human rights watchdog left the international body charged with keeping blood diamonds off the market, accusing the regulatory group of refusing to address links between the gems, violence and t
BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS 2012 TO FEATURE OUTSTANDING FIELD OF TEAMS
By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE newest addition to the NCAA early season tournament scene, the Battle 4 Atlantis will look to continue its momentum and build on its brand with another tournament played at a high level, fe
Packers perfect after 46-16 win over Raiders
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (AP) -- Winning every week is one thing. On Sunday, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers made a legitimate playoff contender look like a team that was ready to pack its bags. Rodgers threw for 281 yards with two touchdowns and an in
MAGIC C DWIGHT HOWARD FORMALLY REQUESTS TRADE
By KYLE HIGHTOWER Associated Press ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- When Magic star Dwight Howard signed a contract extension in 2007, he joked that he and Mickey Mouse would be in Orlando forever. Now Howard wants out, putting one of the NBA's most dominant big
Takeaways help Eagles beat the Dolphins 26-10
MIAMI (AP) -- Early in the game, Michael Vick's helmet went rolling into his end zone, an apt symbol for the direction of the Philadelphia Eagles' season. Time to concede? Not quite. Not against the self-destructive Miami Dolphins. Vick made a triumphant r
Noriega returns to Panama a largely forgotten man
By JUAN ZAMORANO Associated Press PANAMA CITY, Panama (AP) -- More than two decades after the US forced him from power, Manuel Noriega returned to Panama on Sunday as a prisoner and, to many of those he once ruled with impunity, an irrelevant man. Some Pa
Kobe upset by Odom's departure for Dallas
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- The Lakers traded forward Lamar Odom and a second-round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks last night for a first-round pick and an $8.9 million trade exception, capping Los Angeles' stunning 72-
Suns re-sign Hill, sign Telfair, Morris
PHOENIX (AP) -- The Phoenix Suns re-signed forward Grant Hill on Sunday and signed guard Sebastian Telfair and first-round pick Markieff Morris. The 39-year-old Hill averaged 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 80 games last season, his fourth with the Suns an
THE CHAMPIONS
By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net Led by a dynamic MVP performance off the bench from John Delancey, the Sts. Francis & Joseph Shockers unseated the defending champions to claim the 2011 Catholic Diocesan Primary School Basket
Sisters aim to defend Olympic doubles title
By DANIELLA MATAR Associated Press MILAN (AP) -- The Williams sisters want to defend their Olympic doubles title in London next summer. Serena Williams said that she and sister Venus are eager to go for their third Olympic gold together after victories at
Dolphins players surprised at Sparano firing
DAVIE, Florida (AP) -- A number of key Dolphin players expressed their surprise Tuesday that coach Tony Sparano was fired with only three games remaining in the season. Chad Henne, Will Allen, Davone Bess, Dan Carpenter, Brian Hartline and Brandon Fields s
Inter Milan beats Genoa 1-0 in Serie A
By DANIELLA MATAR Associated Press MILAN (AP) -- Inter Milan's revival gathered pace on Tuesday with a 1-0 win at Genoa that moved the club into the top half of the Serie A table. However, the entertainment of the night was to be found in Sicily, where Si
Fletcher to take break because of bowel disease
By ROB HARRIS AP Sports Writer LONDON (AP) -- After months of putting his health at risk while playing with a chronic bowel disease, Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been forced take an extended break from football to rest and recuperate.
New operating system for space: High-tech tycoons
By DONNA BLANKINSHIP and SETH BORENSTEIN Associated Press Writers SEATTLE (AP) -- The tycoons of cyberspace are looking to bankroll America's resurgence in outer space, reviving "Star Trek" dreams that first interested them in science. Microsoft co-founde
Madrid beats third-tier Ponferradina 2-0 in Copa
By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Real Madrid shrugged off its weekend defeat by Barcelona to beat third-tier Ponferradina 2-0 away in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday. Jose Callejon put the cup holders ahead in the
New Mavs Odom, Carter eager to help defend title
By JAIME ARON AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) -- Lamar Odom knows what it takes to repeat as an NBA champion. Vince Carter wants to know what it feels like to become an NBA champion. The Dallas Mavericks are hoping a little of both -- Odom's experience and Ca
Rush for Christmas start leaves NBA in disarray
By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer THE lockout ended, and the NBA's woes were just beginning. Dwight Howard asked to be traded. Chris Paul was dealt to the Lakers, it seemed, until the league decided he wasn't. So the Lakers made another trade, which
Mexico: Captured cartel leader had an arsenal
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexican authorities said Tuesday that an alleged founder of the Zetas drug cartel had an arsenal of 169 guns when he was captured Monday, and may have been linked to the abduction of nine Mexican marines. Navy spokesman Jose Luis Vergar
Marino's yards passing record in jeopardy
NEW YORK (AP) -- Dan Marino long ago moved to the comfort of the broadcast booth. His passing record of 5,084 yards, set in 1984, has withstood strong-armed challenges for more than a quarter-century. It looks as if that record is about to fall, and not at
Chavez touts new Latin America, Caribbean bloc
By IAN JAMES Associated Press CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- What if they threw a giant party for the Americas and didn't invite the United States or Canada? That's what Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is doing with a two-day, 33-nation summit starting today
STRAUSS: BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO COME FOR ENGLAND
By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer LONDON (AP) -- Having achieved their long-awaited aim of becoming test cricket's top-ranked side, England captain Andrew Strauss warned his teammates Thursday that the challenge of staying at the summit will be much more
Seahawks pull away for 30-13 win over Rams
By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) -- What impresses Marshawn Lynch isn't his streak of nine straight games with a touchdown or yet another 100-yard performance. It's that the Seattle Seahawks' offensive line hasn't missed a beat despite season-en
Dwight Howard saga could go 'to end of season'
ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- Magic general manager Otis Smith says the team's goal remains to keep Dwight Howard in a Magic uniform as long as they possibly can and that the trade talks "could go to the end of the season." Smith would not say Wednesday whether
Ferrer defeats injured Murray
By CAROLINE CHEESE AP Sports Writer LONDON (AP) -- David Ferrer pulled off the first upset of the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-4, 7-5 victory Monday over Andy Murray, whose groin injury might force him to quit the season-ending tournament. Murray, seede
Wolves, Birmingham contest FA Cup replay
By STUART CONDIE AP Sports Writer LONDON (AP) -- Although Wolverhampton Wanderers could trade divisions with Birmingham at the end of the season, the relegation-threatened Premier League club will get a chance to put its local rival in its place when the
Americans are all smiles after Presidents Cup win
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Looking happier than he has all year, Tiger Woods slipped into the gallery for high fives and back slaps while wearing a green cap that he borrowed from the "Fanatics," the famous cheer squad th
Ravens need to crank up offense to beat Patriots
By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- For the Baltimore Ravens, the term "balanced attack" usually means an equal distribution of tackles among everyone on the defense not named Ray Lewis. The Ravens' strength has long been its abil
sports inbrief
BANQUET ROAD RUNNERS TRACK CLUB THE Roadrunners track and field club is scheduled to hold its 12th annual awards presentation 7:30pm November 26 (Saturday) at the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino. The event will be held under the theme "Pu
American teen gains 2nd round at Australian Open
By JUSTIN BERGMAN Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Sloane Stephens says there's no need for hand-wringing over the future of American women's tennis in the post-Williams era -- the kids are going to be all right. The 18-year-old Floridan, who
Insects, not ankle, bug Serena in Aussie comeback
By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- If anything, it was the insects buzzing around Rod Laver Arena that bugged Serena Williams the most. The injured left ankle held up fine in her opening match Tuesday at the Australian Open, and eve
Heat dominate 2nd half, roll past Spurs 120-98
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer MIAMI (AP) -- LeBron James scored 33 points, Chris Bosh added 30 and the Miami Heat used a historic third-quarter turnaround to erase a big deficit and beat the San Antonio Spurs 120-98 on Tuesday night, snapping a three-g
ELI MANNING MISSES PRACTICE WITH STOMACH ILLNESS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning missed part of Wednesday's practice session with an illness that coach Tom Coughlin called "a stomach bug, hopefully a 24-hour deal." Manning was placed on the Giants' injury report for
DARVISH, TEXAS AGREE TO DEAL AT DEADLINE
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers have reached a deadline deal. The two-time defending American League champion Rangers and the 25-year-old Darvish, who is considered Japan's best pitcher, came to an agreement on a $60 million, six-
Pacquiao camp: No fight with Mayweather on May 5
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Manny Pacquiao's camp says there is no economic sense in setting up a bout with Floyd Mayweather on May 5 after the unbeaten American publicly challenged the Filipino champion via Twitter. Pacquiao's financial adviser Michael Ko
Wozniacki, Clijsters into 3rd round
By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Defending champion Kim Clijsters and No. 1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the third round of the Australian Open in contrasting styles on Wednesday. Clijsters needed only 47 minutes to beat
Look for a Super Bowl rematch in Indianapolis
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer GET ready for the rematch. The Super Bowl rematch, not the Harbaugh coaching family reunion. For a Super Bowl redux to happen, the New York Giants will need another huge road win, this time at San Francisco. And whe
Celtics' Rondo injured on flagrant foul
BOSTON (AP) -- Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo injured his right wrist when he was leveled on a flagrant foul by Toronto's Linas Kleiza on Wednesday night. Rondo was driving for a layup with 2:12 left in the third quarter when he was hit hard by Kleiza, wh
Wall, Young help Wizards break Thunder streak
WASHINGTON (AP) -- John Wall scored 25 points, Nick Young had 24 and Jordan Crawford added 18 to lead Washington to a 105-102 victory over Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, snapping the Thunder's seven-game winning streak and giving the Wizards just their
Els, Harrington looking to atone for poor 2011
GEORGE, South Africa (AP) -- Playing in the same group in the opening round of the Volvo Golf Champions today isn't the only thing Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington have in common. They're both also desperate to atone for disappointing seasons in 2011. The
Beckham signs 2-year deal with LA Galaxy
LONDON (AP) -- Resisting the lure of Paris for the sake of his family, David Beckham pledged his future to America's Major League Soccer on Wednesday by signing a new two-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 36-year-old midfielder had been courte
ABIDAL SCORES LATE AS BARCELONA BEATS REAL MADRID 2-1
By PAUL LOGOTHETIS AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) -- Barcelona got the better of archrival Real Madrid again Wednesday as Eric Abidal scored a rare goal to give his team a 2-1 win in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Abidal chested down Lione
Valencia beats Levante 4-1 in Copa del Rey
VALENCIA, Spain (AP) -- Valencia took a commanding lead in its Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Levante with a 4-1 home win over its crosstown rival in the first leg on Thursday. After Levante playmaker Jose Barkero had to be replaced after just 10 minute
Hurricanes destroy the Suns 8-0
The unbeaten St Andrew's Hurricanes' junior boys defeated the Temple Christian Suns 8-0 to improve their perfect record to 2-0-0 in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) soccer league. Senior girls The senior girls beat the St
