Lambiel wins Nebelhorn Trophy, secures spot for Switzerland at Vancouver Olympics

October 7th, 2009 Acting head of US Olympic Committee to step downSix months of shaky decisions and turmoil came to a head for the U.S. Olympic Committee on Wednesday when its acting CEO said she would step down, bringing more chaos to an organization that was humiliated when Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Games fell flat.

October 6th, 2009 Ian Frazier wins Thurber PrizeNEW YORK — Ian Frazier is a funny man. Officially. The author and frequent New Yorker contributor won the Thurber Prize for American Humor for his lighthearted book on parental guidance, "Lamentations of the Father." Frazier, who in 1997 received the inaugural Thurber award, will receive $5,000, prize organizers said Monday.

October 4th, 2009 IOC: American TV rights worth less after Rio winCOPENHAGEN — The cost of Chicago's defeat in its bid to host the 2016 Olympics will be felt in the value of the next U.S. broadcast deal.

September 20th, 2009 'Mad Men' wins best drama EmmyLOS ANGELES — AMC's "Mad Men" has repeated as winner of the best drama series Emmy and NBC's "30 Rock" has claimed its third straight comedy series trophy. Glenn Close's performance as a ruthless trial attorney on "Damages" and Bryan Cranston's turn as a meth-making teacher on "Breaking Bad" were honored Sunday with the top drama series acting Emmys.

September 20th, 2009 Bryan Cranston wins second dramatic Emmy honorLOS ANGELES — Bryan Cranston has won the Emmy Award for lead actor in a drama series. Cranston won his second consecutive trophy for "Breaking Bad" on AMC.

September 4th, 2009 Spanish TV secures Olympic rights for $100MLONDON — Spanish public broadcaster RTVE secured national broadcast rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics on Friday in a deal worth $100 million, another revenue boost for the IOC during the global recession. The International Olympic Committee said RTVE was awarded the rights across all platforms, including free television, subscription TV, radio, Internet and mobile phones.

August 24th, 2009 Police: Fugitive reality TV star is in CanadaVANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian authorities say they have evidence the millionaire reality TV star accused of murdering a former swimsuit model is in Canada. "We are still pursuing a Canada-wide warrant for this arrest, and all tips across the country whether from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary or Vancouver will be investigated fully," Sgt.

August 16th, 2009 USOC backs off disputed Olympic network plansBERLIN — The U.S. Olympic Committee had everything to lose and nothing to air.

July 9th, 2009 IOC criticizes USOC for launching networkLONDON — The International Olympic Committee chastised U.S. Olympic officials on Thursday for "unilaterally" launching their own television network, warning the project could jeopardize relations with Olympic broadcaster NBC.

July 3rd, 2009 Kwan returning to ice for August showMichelle Kwan will skate before an audience for the first time in three years when she joins world champion Kim Yu-Na in Ice All-Stars 2009 in Seoul, South Korea, in August. The five-time world champion and nine-time U.S.

June 22nd, 2009 Historian wins $100,000 military prizeNEW YORK — Historian Gerhard L. Weinberg has received a $100,000 lifetime achievement prize for excellence in military writing.

June 18th, 2009 IOC sells 2014-16 rights to Arab broadcastersLAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee announced a deal on Thursday for 20 Arab states to broadcast the 2014 Sochi Olympics and Summer Games in 2016. The contract with the Arab States Broadcast Union (ASBU) is believed to be worth $32 million, an increase of almost 50 percent on the $21.2 million paid for the 2010-12 package.

June 18th, 2009 Tokyo 2016 invites crown prince to IOC voteLAUSANNE, Switzerland — Officials of Tokyo's bid for the 2016 Olympics have invited Japan's crown prince to travel to Copenhagen for the IOC vote on Oct. 2. Tokyo Governor and bid committee president Shintaro Ishihara said Thursday that he has asked Prime Minister Tara Aso to invite Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako to represent the bid at the International Olympic Committee session.

June 17th, 2009 Vision D'Etat wins for France at Royal AscotASCOT, England — Vision D'Etat has won the Prince of Wales's Stakes by a half length at Royal Ascot. The 4-year-old colt from France made a powerful run from last to first in the final eighth-mile and then held off 6-4 favorite Tartan Bearer for the victory.

June 12th, 2009 US writer Michael Thomas wins lucrative book prizeDUBLIN, Ireland — American writer Michael Thomas won one of the world's most lucrative literary prizes Thursday for his debut novel "Man Gone Down." A panel of judges from Ireland, Britain, Switzerland and Canada named Boston-born Thomas, 41, the winner of the euro100,000 (US$140,000) IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. "Man Gone Down" follows a thirty-something African-American man, broke and estranged from his wife and three children, who has four days to keep his family afloat and reclaim his stake in the American Dream.