Alphiniqia News Agency

Janka wins downhill to lead World Cup standings
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (Reuters) - Switzerland's Carlo Janka won the downhill at Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Wednesday to go back to the top of the overall World Cup standings. ... more...

Kobe sinks Raptors as Lakers end losing run
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant delivered yet another game-winning shot to help the Los Angeles Lakers snap a three-game losing streak with a 109-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. ... more...

Woods practice reports set tour tongues wagging
MIAMI (Reuters) - Media reports that Tiger Woods is working with his swing coach Hank Haney have leading golfers talking of a possible return to action for the world number one. ... more...

Samuelsson hat-trick lifts Canucks over Avalanche
DENVER (Reuters) - Mikael Samuelsson's hat-trick inspired a stirring fightback for the Vancouver Canucks in a 6-4 victory over Northwest Division rivals the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. ... more...

Pacquiao confident speed can trump Clottey's size
DALLAS (Reuters) - Filipino ring king Manny Pacquiao said his lightning fast speed will be enough to nullify Joshua Clottey's size advantage when the two meet in Dallas on Saturday. ... more...

Clippers fire general manager Dunleavy
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Clippers fired general manager Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday, a month after he relinquished his head coaching role. ... more...

World Cup mascot row is political football: China firm
BEIJING (Reuters) - The Chinese company ordered to stop making soccer World Cup mascots because of poor working conditions in their factory hit back at the accusations on Wednesday, saying they were v... more...

NFL signs mobile phone deal with Verizon Wireless
MIAMI (Reuters) - The NFL has signed a four-year agreement with Verizon Wireless to show live games and highlights on mobile phones in a deal U.S. media reported was worth $720 million. ... more...

Former Dodgers center fielder Willie Davis dies aged 69
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Willie Davis, the speedy former All-Star center fielder who spent most of his 18-season Major League Baseball career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has died at the age of 69. ... more...

Be patient and the wins will come, Nicklaus tells McIlroy
MIAMI (Reuters) - Jack Nicklaus has told Britain's Rory McIlroy that he needs to add patience to his armory if he is to continue his climb up golf's world rankings. ... more...

De Niro signs up to play football icon Lombardi
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - He has played killers and cops in the movies, and two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro may soon take on the role of iconic U.S. football coach Vince Lombardi in a film backed b... more...

Updated Bubble Watch
The good news keeps coming for bubble teams, as favorites keep winning the smaller conference auto bids. That means two things:... more...

Who else? Kobe's game-winner ends Lakers' skid
LOS ANGELES(AP) Kobe Bryant hit a 17-foot fallaway jumper with 1.9 seconds left, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter to snap their three-game losing streak with a 109-107 victory ... more...

Flyers win 15th consecutive game vs. Islanders
PHILADELPHIA(AP) Simon Gagne fired a pass toward Mike Richards , but New York Islanders defensemen Mark Streit 's stick got in the way.... more...

Joe Posnanski: Nathan's injury offers hope to beleaguered AL Central hitters
Closer Joe Nathan's elbow ligament tear is devastating for the Twins, who now must scramble for a replacement. But it's a terrific break for AL Central hitters, writes Joe Posnanski.... more...

Vick wins award; Eagles pick up option for 2010
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Michael Vick says the Philadelphia Eagles exercised their 2010 option on him, meaning the quarterback will receive a $1.5 million roster bonus sometime this week.... more...

Clippers dump Dunleavy, promote Olshey to GM
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mike Dunleavy is out as general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers, barely a month after relinquishing his head coaching duties.... more...

NCAA exec: No decision yet on expanded Dance
NEW YORK (AP) -- The NCAA's senior vice president says no decision has been made on whether to expand the men's basketball tournament.... more...

NASCAR puts Edwards on probation
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) -- NASCAR will not suspend Carl Edwards for intentionally wrecking Brad Keselowski's car during last weekend's race at Atlanta.... more...

AD: Expansion may force Notre Dame into move
NEW YORK -- Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said Tuesday it remains the school's "clear preference" to maintain its football independence, but that the possibility of impending Big Ten exp... more...