NFL: Green Bay 26, Chicago 7 CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Brett Favre passed for 285 yards and the Green Bay defense scored twice on interceptions Sunday as the Packers beat the Chicago Bears, 26-7.

Winfrey set to open $40 million academy HENLY-ON-KLIP, South Africa, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Oprah Winfrey is set to open a new academy for girls in South Africa, and fielding questions about its $40 million price tag by saying the kids deserve it.

NHL: Philadelphia 5, Carolina 2 RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Robert Esche made 40 saves Sunday led the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-2 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.

NHL: San Jose 4, Dallas 2 DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Joe Thornton had a goal and two assists Sunday and the San Jose Sharks rebounded from their worst loss in 11 years with a 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars.

Report: U.S. doubted execution 'justice' BAGHDAD, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. officials questioned the political wisdom and the justice of expediting the execution of Saddam Hussein, officials in Baghdad told The New York Times.

NHL: Edmonton 4, Calgary 2 CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Jerome Iginla had a goal and two assists Sunday to lead the Calgary Flames to a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

UPI NewsTrack Sports , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Denver quarterback suffers head injury ... Clippers say they are not seeking Artest ... Woods reveals wife's pregnancy on his birthday ... Thoroughbred trainer Delp dead at 74 ... Sports from United Press International

NBA: Houston 111, Memphis 109 HOUSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Tracy McGrady had 38 points and nine rebounds Sunday as the Houston Rockets posted a 111-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

NHL: Columbus 3, Chicago 1 COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Fredrik Norrena blocked all but one of the 22 shots he faced Sunday to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

NHL: Detroit 6, Los Angeles 2 DETROIT, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Dominik Hasek made 28 saves Sunday as the Detroit Red Wings posted a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

Clippers say they are not seeking Artest LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Clippers General Manager Elgin Baylor says the team is no longer trying to deal for Sacramento Kings star Ron Artest.

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

Report: Sirius and XM may merge NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Sirius and XM satellite radio services, which saw increases in their subscription bases in 2006, are reportedly in talks to merge.

Specter: No 'blank check' for troop surge WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A leading Senate Republican said Sunday he does not support escalating the U.S. troop presence in Iraq.

UPI Sports Calendar for Sunday, Dec. 31 By United Press International , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Sunday sports calendar.

NHL: Minnesota 4, Anaheim 3 ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Mark Parrish scored the game-winning goal late in the third period Sunday to give the Minnesota Wild a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

Denver quarterback suffers head injury DENVER, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler left Sunday's game against San Francisco in the second quarter with a head injury after getting sacked by Anthony Adams.

Iraq death toll for U.S. troops hits 3,000 CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The number of U.S. troops killed in the Iraq war reached 3,000 Sunday with the death of a soldier at a military hospital in Crawford, Texas, CNN reported.

Bulgaria and Romania join the EU BUCHAREST, Romania, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union at midnight New Year's Day, celebrating with rock music and traditional dancing.

COL BKB: UCLA 96, Washington 74 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Arron Afflalo scored 27 points Sunday as the top-ranked UCLA Bruins whipped the 13th-ranked Washington Huskies, 96-74.

NFL: San Francisco 26, Denver 23 (OT) DENVER, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Joe Nedney kicked a 36-yard field goal with 1:56 left in overtime Sunday to give San Francisco a 26-23 win over the Denver Broncos.

Mourners pay respects to Ford at Capitol WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Mourners gathered Sunday at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, some as early as 5 a.m., to pay their respects to former President Gerald Ford.

NBA: Phoenix 108, Detroit 101 AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Steve Nash had 35 points and 12 assists Sunday as the Phoenix Suns beat the Detroit Pistons, 108-101, in a battle of NBA division leaders.

NFL: San Diego 27, Arizona 20 SAN DIEGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Philip Rivers passed for 231 yards and two touchdowns Sunday as the San Diego Chargers beat the Arizona Cardinals, 27-20.

Britain too boozy for cafe-style culture LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Labor Party leader in Britain says new laws to encourage "cafe-style" drinking have failed because Britons are a nation of boozers.

NFL: N.Y. Jets 23, Oakland 3 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Chad Pennington completed 22-of-30 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown Sunday as the New York Jets clinched a playoff berth with a 23-3 win over Oakland.

NFL: Baltimore 19, Buffalo 7 BALTIMORE, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Matt Stover kicked four field goals Sunday as the Baltimore Ravens locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs with a 19-7 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

3-year-old found wandering on highway INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A 3-year-old boy was found running on the interstate in Indiana and was saved by what Troy Crady figures was a guardian angel.

Ford's burial planned 25 years in advance GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Will Jones, the first curator for the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., began work 25 years ago on plans for Ford's burial ceremony at the museum.

NFL: Indianapolis 27, Miami 22 INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Peyton Manning passed for two TDs and ran for another Sunday as the AFC South champion Indianapolis Colts posted a 27-22 win over the Miami Dolphins.

NFL: Philadelphia 24, Atlanta 17 PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A.J. Feeley threw three touchdown passes Sunday as the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles, barely using their starters, beat the Atlanta Falcons, 24-17.

Scientists study rise in centenarians SANDY SPRING, Md., Dec. 31 (UPI) --

NBA: LA Clippers 90, New York 80 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Elton Brand had 32 points, six rebounds and a career-high eight blocked shots Sunday as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the New York Knicks, 90-80.

NBA: San Antonio 95, Atlanta 81 SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Tony Parker had 27 points Sunday as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 95-81.

COL BKB: North Carolina 81, Dayton 51 CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) --

COL BKB: Clemson 67, Ga. State 57 CLEMSON, S.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Japanese company not properly licensed KOFU, Japan, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Fujiaqua Co., a mineral water producer in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture, has been operating for eight years without a proper license, a report says.

Fleeing bank robbers try to carjack cop NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

COL BKB: Wisconsin 64, Georgia 54 ATHENS, Ga., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Alando Tucker had 29 points and eight rebounds Sunday to lead the fourth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers to a 64-54 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs.

'Wolfhound' running wild in Russia MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

COL BKB: Duke 70, San Jose St. 51 DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Josh McRoberts had 15 points and 17 rebounds Sunday as the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils pulled away in the second half for a 70-51 win over San Jose State.

NFL: Kansas City 35, Jacksonville 30 KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Larry Johnson rushed 33 times for 138 yards with three touchdowns Sunday as the Kansas City Chiefs posted a 35-30 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

NFL: Houston 14, Cleveland 6 HOUSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

NFL: St. Louis 41, Minnesota 21 MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Steven Jackson rushed for 142 yards and four touchdowns Sunday as the St. Louis Rams routed Minnesota, 41-21.

NFL: Carolina 31, New Orleans 21 NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Jake Delhomme threw for 207 yards and two TDs Sunday as the Carolina Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints, 31-21.

Spain: Demonstrators decry bombing MADRID, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Criticism dogs 'feel-good' relief efforts MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Efforts by Florida officials to use federal disaster aid to produce entertaining activities as a means of recovery has gotten federal criticism.

Argentina: 'Dirty War' witness returns BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Alex Ferguson most powerful 'pensioner' LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Man free flies over Swiss Alps BERNE, Switzerland, Dec. 31 (UPI) --