World champion Evan Lysacek wins men’s short program at Skate America

World champ Lysacek leads Skate America

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Skating to Stravinski and wearing Vera Wang, world champion Evan Lysacek embodied both athlete and artist at Skate America.

World silver medalists Tanith Belbin-Ben Agosto lead Skate America after compulsory ice dance

Belbin-Agosto lead Skate America ice dance

ESPN buys Olympic rights in South America for Vancouver, London Games

ESPN buys Olympic TV rights for South America

Colbert goes for gold, sponsors US speedskating team for 2010 Vancouver Olympics

Colbert goes for gold, sponsors US speedskating

AP Interview: Rogge says US TV rights talks to begin after Vancouver due to improving economy

Rogge: US TV deal planned after Vancouver Games

After silver in Torino, Belbin and Agosto set sights on Olympic gold in 2010

ASTON, Pa. — Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto are hoping to upgrade that silver medal from the 2006 Olympics in Vancouver.

Kim Yun-na of South Korea wins Trophee Bompard with dazzling free skate; Asada, Nakano next

PARIS — World champion Kim Yu-na of South Korea captured the Trophee Bompard on Saturday, winning the free skate with a flawless performance to finish ahead of Japanese skaters Mao Asada and Yukari Nakano.

France’s Brian Joubert main attraction at Trophee Bompard with Olympics looming

PARIS — Former world champion Brian Joubert of France will be the main attraction at the Trophee Bompard, the first of six Grand Prix events that starts Thursday.

Acting chief of US Olympic committee leaving amid turmoil in wake of Chicago 2016 vote

Six 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.

IOC says American TV rights for 2014-2016 Olympics now less valuable after Rio de Janeiro win

COPENHAGEN — 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.

Ski resort company sets mandatory helmet after Natasha Richardson death

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Six months after actress Natasha Richardson died following a fall at the Mount Tremblant ski resort in Quebec, the company that operates the facility has announced helmet requirements at its North American resorts.

Spain selects post-Pinochet film ‘El Baile de la Victoria’ to compete for Oscar

MADRID — The Spanish Cinema Academy on Tuesday selected a film set in Chile after the Pinochet dictatorship as the country’s nomination to compete for the Oscar for best foreign language film.

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

OBERSTDORF, Germany — Olympic silver medalist Stephane Lambiel is a step closer to the Vancouver Games.

Victoria Beckham goes old school during NY Fashion Week, presenting collection without fanfare

NEW YORK — Victoria Beckham knows fashion, not just how to wear it or how to buy it but also how to make it — and that’s pretty impressive.

Canadian coastal community provides a sense of wonder for booklovers

SIDNEY, British Columbia — Here, in this coastal Western Canadian town, it’s all about the books — thousands of them scattered throughout 12 stores.

Canadian police: No charges for woman who aided dead reality TV star charged with murder

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian police said Friday that no charges will be filed against anyone who may have helped fugitive reality TV contestant Ryan Jenkins, who fled to Canada after being accused of killing his ex-wife.

Police: Reality TV contestant delayed flight, ‘didn’t expect’ quick discovery of model’s body

BUENA PARK, Calif. — A reality contestant wanted in the gruesome murder and mutilation of his ex-model wife didn’t start his 1,000-mile dash for his native Canada until 24 hours after her body was found and he moved out of his penthouse and picked up his speedboat, police said.

Blood, evidence of struggle found in car of ex-model killed by reality TV contestant

BUENA PARK, Calif. — Police said Thursday they found blood and evidence of a violent struggle inside a car belonging to an ex-model whose brutal slaying prompted a manhunt for a reality TV contestant that ended in his suicide.

Police in California to detail findings in search of car belonging to slain ex-model

BUENA PARK, Calif. — Police said Thursday they planned to disclose what they found in the car of an ex-model whose brutal slaying prompted a massive manhunt for the reality TV contestant wanted in her murder.

Police say car belonging to model allegedly slain by reality contestant found in W. Hollywood

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — A white Mercedes-Benz found in a parking lot in West Hollywood belonged to an ex-model whose brutal slaying prompted an international manhunt for a former reality TV contestant wanted in the murder, police said Wednesday.

Hunted reality show contestant found dead of apparent suicide at motel in Canada

HOPE, British Columbia — Police said Monday they have identified and are investigating a woman who allegedly helped a former reality television show contestant hide from authorities in his native Canada after his ex-wife was found dead in the U.S.

Canadian motel manager says woman checked in reality TV star, later found dead

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The manager of a motel where police discovered the body of fugitive murder suspect and reality TV contestant Ryan Jenkins says a young woman checked him in on Thursday.

Canadian police say hunted reality TV star found dead of apparent suicide in Canada

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A reality show contestant wanted for murder in the gruesome death of his ex-wife was found dead Sunday of an apparent suicide after hanging himself in a secluded Canadian motel, authorities said.

Canadian investigators say hunted reality TV star is in Canada, urge him to surrender

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian investigators said Sunday they had information that a fugitive reality TV star accused of murdering a former swimsuit model and mutilating her body was in Canada, and urged him to surrender peacefully.

Canadian investigators say evidence shows hunted reality TV star is hiding out in Canada

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian authorities say they have evidence the millionaire reality TV star accused of murdering a former swimsuit model is in Canada.

Canadian police intensify manhunt for reality TV star accused of murdering former model

BUENA PARK, Calif. — Canadian authorities on Saturday intensified the manhunt for the millionaire reality TV star accused of murdering a former swimsuit model and stuffing her naked, mutilated body in a suitcase.

US Olympic Committee delays launch of Olympic network in face of IOC objections

BERLIN — The U.S. Olympic Committee had everything to lose and nothing to air.

Victoria Beckham in Boston for more ‘Idol’ auditions

NEW YORK — Victoria Beckham seems to be getting used to filling a fourth judge chair on “American Idol,” left vacant by Paula Abdul’s departure.

Travel briefs

Leaf-peeping in Iowa: Mississippi River, bridges of Madison County

Bryce Dallas Howard to play Victoria in third ‘Twilight’ film; Lefevre ’stunned’ by the switch

LOS ANGELES — Bryce Dallas Howard is taking over as the villainous vampire Victoria in the third “Twilight” movie, and the actress who’s played the part in the first two films says she was “stunned” and “hurt deeply” by the switch.

Japan’s royal couple head to Canada, Hawaii to reach out to Japanese immigrants

TOKYO — Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hope to reach out to Americans and Canadians of Japanese ancestry during a two-week tour that began Friday, but they won’t be going to Pearl Harbor.

Obituaries in the news

Obituaries in the news

Vitaly Ginzburg