Williams scores three times in Fins win

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) - Ricky Williams scored three touchdowns to lead the Miami Dolphins to a 24-17 win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.

Stars forward Neal suspended for two games

TORONTO (Reuters) - Dallas Stars forward James Neal has been suspended for two games for a dangerous hit against Derek Dorsett of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the NHL said Friday.

U.S., Cuba players find friendship in softball

HAVANA (Reuters) - There were hugs and handshakes all around on Friday as teams of older U.S. and Cuban softball players ended a "friendship" tournament they hope will set an example for their respective governments.

Cubs sign Grabow to two-year deal

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Reliever John Grabow signed a two-year $7.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs on Friday, adding an experienced arm to a young bullpen.

France rule out replay of controversial World Cup playoff

PARIS (Reuters) - The French Football Federation (FFF) has ruled out a replay of their controversial World Cup playoff against Ireland, saying on Friday world governing body FIFA's decision that the result should stand was final.

Hurt Beckham to take pain killers before final

SEATTLE (Reuters) - L.A. Galaxy's David Beckham is to have pain-killing injections for a bruised ankle bone before Sunday's MLS Cup final but said he would be fit for the game against Real Salt Lake.

Federer eyes year-end top spot in London finale

LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer held court in a swish hotel on the banks of the River Thames on Friday and left nobody in any doubt he was determined to become only the second male player to reclaim the year-end number one spot.

Asian champions Iraq suspended by FIFA

BERNE (Reuters) - Asian champions Iraq have been suspended from international soccer because of political interference in the country's Football Association, world governing body FIFA said on Friday.

IAAF to stage hammer throw challenge next year

MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - A hammer throw challenge event will be introduced next year to provide worldwide competition for athletes whose specialty is not part of the new Diamond League.

Henry says World Cup playoff would be fair

LONDON (Reuters) - France captain Thierry Henry has agreed a replay against Ireland would be the fairest solution to the controversy surrounding the teams' World Cup playoff.

Lincecum wins NL Cy Young second year in a row

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants claimed the National League Cy Young Award for the second successive year Thursday, winning in a close vote over Cardinals starters Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.

Stojakovic leads Hornets to second straight win under Bower

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Peja Stojakovic had 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead the New Orleans Hornets to a 110-103 upset win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

Westwood two ahead after McIlroy putting mistakes

DUBAI (Reuters) - Lee Westwood took advantage of a couple of putting errors by money-list rival Rory McIlroy to grab a two-shot lead after the second round of the season-ending Dubai World Championship Friday.

L.A's Donovan named MLS player of the year

SEATTLE (Reuters) - United States and L.A Galaxy striker Landon Donovan has been named Most Valuable Player in Major League Soccer, the league said on Thursday.

Iraq suspended from international football

BERNE (Reuters) - Asian champions Iraq have been suspended from international football because of political interference in the country's FA, FIFA said Friday.

Stars' Turco suffers rare loss to Blue Jackets

DALLAS (Reuters) - Dallas netminder Marty Turco suffered a rare loss to Columbus on Thursday as the Blue Jackets beat the Stars 4-1.

IAAF says no resolution yet to Semenya case

MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is still seeking a resolution to South African runner Caster Semenya's gender case, spokesman Nick Davies said on Friday.

Record-wary Mayweather may duck Pacquiao: Arum

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao's desire to take on Floyd Mayweather may not be enough to persuade the American to climb into the ring for a dream fight against the Filipino, promoter Bob Arum said on Thursday.

Baseball still faces tough economy: commissioner

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Major League Baseball still faces an uncertain U.S. economy that led to lower attendance and financial losses at some clubs this year, the commissioner of the U.S. sports league said on Thursday.

Gay and Richards claim Jesse Owens honors

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tyson Gay and Sanya Richards claimed Jesse Owens awards for the second time on Thursday as the United States' top track and field athletes.

Pacquiao returns a hero in Manila, gears for new fight

MANILA (Reuters) - Seven-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao returned to a hero's welcome in the Philippines on Friday, with his next fight likely to be in the political ring as he prepares to run for Congress in next May's elections.

Federer faces choppy ride to secure top spot

LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will step on board the riverboat to the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday with the world number one ranking in their sights.

Gasol to return to action against Bulls

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol is set to make his long awaited return to the court Thursday when the defending NBA champions host the Chicago Bulls.

Mayweather may duck Pacquiao to preserve status: Arum

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao has satisfied Floyd Mayweather's demands that he state his desire to fight the American, but that still may not be good enough to make the mega-fight, boxing promoter Bob Arum said on Thursday.

Westwood starts with 66 in Dubai cut and thrust

DUBAI (Reuters) - Lee Westwood's six-under-par 66 at the season-ending Dubai World Championship gave him a first-round advantage over money-list rival Rory McIlroy on Thursday.

IAAF agrees to Semenya keeping world title

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has agreed that South African runner Caster Semenya will keep her 800 meters world title, the country's sports ministry said Thursday.

France's Henry gets hand slapped

PARIS (Reuters) - Thierry Henry was compared to the great Diego Maradona, although not the way he may have wished, and coach Raymond Domenech faced further criticism after France controversially scraped past Ireland to make the World Cup.

Flyers withstand late charge by Kings in 3-2 win

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Flyers survived a third-period onslaught by the Los Angeles Kings to hold on for a 3-2 victory on Wednesday.

Wizards end Cleveland's winning streak

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Washington Wizards overcame a 34-point performance by LeBron James to crush the Central Division-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 108-91 on Wednesday and snap a six-game losing streak.

World Cup lineup decided as last six spots taken

LONDON (Reuters) - The final lineup of teams for next year's World Cup in South Africa was settled on Wednesday after six drama-charged playoffs on three different continents.