Sports

PARIS (AFP) - European giants Liverpool and Juventus began life under new coaches with victories in the first legs of their Europa League third qualifying round ties on Thursday. Full Story »

BALTIMORE - Buck Showalter was hired to manage the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, his latest rebuilding project in a major league career full of them. Full Story »

Roy Oswalt granted his own wish: He's now part of a pennant race. Miguel Tejada, Jorge Cantu and Matt Capps joined the mix, too. Full Story »

MINNEAPOLIS - In the middle of another tight division race, the Minnesota Twins acquired All-Star closer Matt Capps from the Washington Nationals late Thursday night for prized catching prospect Wilson Ramos and minor league left-hander Joe Testa. Full Story »

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Philadelphia Eagles and first-round pick Brandon Graham have agreed on a five-year contract. Full Story »

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AFP) - Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt has agreed to waive a no-trade clause in his contract that resulted in his being traded to two-time defending National League champions Philadelphia. Full Story »

TORONTO - After being called out as a quitter by his former general manager, Chris Bosh says he "put his heart and soul" into the Toronto Raptors organization and never gave up on his team. Full Story »

Mississippi coach Houston Nutt has invited former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to visit the school this weekend, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Friday. Full Story »

LONDON (AFP) - The sprawling, congested city of London speeds towards a greener, nimbler future Friday with the launch of a new bike hire scheme aimed at kick-starting a cycling revolution ahead of the 2012 Olympics. Full Story »

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman Jason Demers to a two-year contract. Full Story »

STANFORD, California (AFP) - Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova reached the quarter-finals while Shahar Peer became the first seeded player to fall at the WTA Bank of the West Classic Thursday. Full Story »

SAMMAMISH, Wash. - The fans following Fred Couples and Tom Watson early Thursday morning were sometimes six- and seven-deep, wedging themselves between tree trunks and ducking under limbs. Full Story »

LAS VEGAS - About the time Shane Carwin's 40th consecutive punch hit him in the face, Brock Lesnar realized he couldn't argue if the referee stopped their fight and took away his UFC heavyweight title. Full Story »

LONDON (Reuters) - Shannon Briggs is looking forward to ending the career of WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko after announcing on Thursday that he will fight the Ukranian on October 16. Full Story »

WEST FARGO, N.D. - NASCAR star Tony Stewart made his return to North Dakota — and failed to cross the finish line. Full Story »

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - With the economy spiraling downward and sponsors running away faster than Usain Bolt, the Olympics needed money. Full Story »