NBA: Golden State 94, Houston 89 HOUSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Baron Davis had 23 points and seven assists Saturday night as Golden State beat the Houston Rockets, 94-89.

Judge hopes to resolve King Parade dispute HOUSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Houston may have only a single parade this year in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. after years of dueling events to honor the slain civil rights leader.

NBA: Phoenix 107, Chicago 98 (OT) CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Shawn Marion registered 28 points and 16 rebounds Saturday night as Phoenix beat the Chicago Bulls in overtime, 107-98.

Gambling addict admits embezzlement EXETER, England, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A British travel agency employee has admitted embezzling thousands of pounds to feed an online gambling habit she shared with her ex-boyfriend.

COL BKB: Oklahoma 68, Alabama 56 NORMAN, Okla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Kevin Bookout collected 18 points and eight rebounds Saturday as 15th-ranked Oklahoma beat Alabama, 68-56.

Shooting victim makes final phone call HOUSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Houston homicide victim placed a cell phone call to a friend saying "They're trying to jack me" just before he was shot.

Managers want to acquire a new skill MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New Year's resolutions for U.S. adults include promises to eat better, exercise more or spending time with family, but managers wish to learn a new skill.

Mass. cracks down on repeat drunk drivers BOSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Massachusetts' tough new laws aimed at repeat drunken drivers get even tougher with the new year.

COL BKB: Mich. State 78, Coppin State 54 EAST LANSING, Mich., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Maurice Ager scored a game-high 25 points Saturday as ninth-ranked Michigan State rolled over Coppin State, 78-54.

Police say skip the line about 2 beers WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Police officers say there's one line they've heard so many times from drivers it's a joke -- "I've only had two beers."

UPI NewsTrack Sports , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Stoudamire likely done for the season ... Diamondbacks ink Eric Byrnes ... Pirates sign Joe Randa ... U.S. skeleton coach suspended ... Sports from United Press International.

U.S. skeleton coach suspended SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation suspended Olympic skeleton coach Tim Nardiello Saturday over sexual harassment accusations.

President says China pledged to peace BEIJING, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- China's president, in his New Year's address, promised the country would continue to develop peacefully while helping poor countries advance.

Groups advises dieters to 'eat more' WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Many U.S. adults make New Year's resolutions to shed pounds, but one group dedicated to better health advises dieters to eat more.

COL BKB: Ohio State 78, LSU 76 COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Matt Sylvester sank a three-pointer from the left corner with 5.5 seconds left Saturday as 20th-ranked Ohio State edged LSU, 78-76.

Chalabi takes over Iraq oil ministry BAGHDAD, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi has been put in charge of Iraq's oil ministry for at least a month.

Late storm Zeta continues to spin MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A year that shattered Atlantic records for hurricanes ended with the 27th named tropical storm of 2005 spinning in mid-ocean late Saturday.

35 million Americans suffer from sinusitis NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Each year 35 million American are affected by chronic sinusitis, making it one of the most diagnosed diseases in the United States.

New Year's Eve hard for recovering abusers LANSING, Mich., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- For recovering alcoholics, New Year's Eve can be the hardest day of the year, says the Michigan Association of Substance Abuse Coordinating Agencies.

COL BKB: Gonzaga 102, St. Joseph's 94 SPOKANE, Wash., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- J.P. Batista scored 32 points Saturday as 8th-ranked Gonzaga topped Saint Joseph's, 102-94.

UPI NewsTrack TopNews , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- News from United Press International, around the world around the clock ...

Justice official refused to OK wiretaps WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A top Justice Department official refused in 2004 to approve key parts of the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program, it was reported.

NFL: Denver 23, San Diego 7 SAN DIEGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Tatum Bell ran for three touchdowns Saturday to help Denver beat the San Diego Chargers, 23-7.

Consumers cash in on reward cards NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Zero-percent balance-transfer offers for credit cards may be on the wane, but U.S. credit card companies are offering cash-back reward cards.

COL BKB: Indiana 80, Ball State 56 MUNCIE, Ind., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Robert Vaden scored a game-high 22 points Saturday as 17th-ranked Indiana routed Ball State, 80-56.

NBA: Cleveland 97, Detroit 84 CLEVELAND, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- LeBron James recorded 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists Saturday as Cleveland beat Detroit, 97-84, breaking the Pistons' nine-game winning streak.

Immigration up in Australia CANBERRA, Australia, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Australia welcomed 123,424 new immigrants in 2004-2005, the highest number in more than 15 years.

Snoring can hurt intimacy NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- People who snore have less active sex lives than those who don't, to a U.S. survey of adults found.

Texas, Calif. govs wager on Rose Bowl SACRAMENTO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The governors of California and Texas have a friendly bet on the outcome of next week's Rose Bowl game.

Scalia rated the Supreme Court's funniest WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Boston University professor has examined Supreme Court transcripts and concluded that the conservative Antonin Scalia is the funniest justice.

Poll: U.S. investors upbeat for 2006 NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Despite the end-of-the-year drop in the U.S. stock market, investors have a generally positive outlook for 2006, a survey finds.

COL FB: TCU 27, Iowa State 24 HOUSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Peter LoCoco booted a 44-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter Saturday as 14th-ranked TCU beat Iowa State, 27-24, in the Houston Bowl.

Military death toll in Iraq 844 in 2005 BAGHDAD, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. military death toll in Iraq in 2005 almost matched that of 2004.

Ice can make a fall more dangerous NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Falls on icy surfaces are a major cause of ankle sprains and fractures, and it's critical to seek prompt treatment to prevent damage, say U.S. experts.

COL FB: Tulsa 31, Fresno State 24 MEMPHIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Paul Smith threw for 234 yards and one touchdown Saturday as Tulsa beat Fresno State, 31-24, in the Liberty Bowl at Memphis.

Plagiarism Project gives Web site audio NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Columbia Law Library Music Plagiarism Project in New York City has a Web site that features audio samples of disputed songs.

Stoudamire likely done for the season MEMPHIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Guard Damon Stoudamire of the Memphis Grizzlies likely is done for the season after suffering a knee injury Friday night against Portland, his former team.

Pirates sign Joe Randa PITTSBURGH, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Free agent third baseman Joe Randa Saturday signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Diamondbacks ink Eric Byrnes PHOENIX, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Outfielder Eric Byrnes has agreed to a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

'Shoppers bite back' blog for the angry NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. consumers who feel their consumer complaints are falling on deaf ears can complain via a blog with the slogan: "Shoppers bite back."

COL FB: N.C. State 14, South Florida 0 CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Marcus Stone threw for one TD and Andre Brown ran for another Saturday as N.C. State blanked South Florida, 14-0, in the Meineke Car Care Bowl at Charlotte.

Many not happy on 'hedonic treadmill' By ALEX CUKAN LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- While many U.S. adults wish for better finances in the new year, a British economist says money is not the path to happiness.

Suit filed over corrosive drink MCDONOUGH, Ga., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a homeless Georgia man who was allegedly given $5 to drink a corrosive milkshake.

Illinois misses deadline on voter database SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Illinois expects to miss a federal deadline to create an interactive election database by more than two years.

Mayor spearheads fundraising for schools NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New York City Mayor Bloomberg has made education a priority and to help in that goal he has been raising private sector funds, the New York Times reported.

Schwarzenegger to back minimum wage hike SACRAMENTO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is reportedly set to propose a $1 an hour hike in the state's minimum wage.

Failed anxiety drug may help stuttering LEXINGTON, Mass., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Lexington, Mass., drug company is conducting a clinical trial of a drug that may help those who stutter.

Judge: Churches belong to diocese PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A bankruptcy judge in Oregon has ruled that the Archdiocese of Portland, not its member parishes, owns Roman Catholic churches and schools.

Ceramic artist Edith Heath dead at 94 TIBURON, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Ceramic artist Edith Heath, whose commercial work is included in major museums around the United States, has died in Tiburon, Calif., at age 94.

California man sees 187 films in 2005 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles man says he's not "a nut case" but admits sitting through a number of duds among the 187 movies he saw in 2005.