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Two children found dead in West Point home suffered stab wounds

Nesha Starcevic

Turkish trial shows soccer corruption at the top

Nesha Starcevic, Suzan Fraser The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, February 14, 2013 - 6:32pm

ISTANBUL — Turkey loves both soccer and strong men, so it’s no surprise that Aziz Yildirim is a household name.

A civil engineer, Yildirim made a fortune in military contracts with the government and NATO before turning his attention to Istanbul’s Fenerbahce soccer club, a perennial title contender with a vocal fan base nicknamed “the Republic of Fenerbahce.”

As chairman since 1998, Yildirim built up not only the local soccer club, but also its clubs in basketball, volleyball and table tennis. He renovated the stadium, increasing it to 52,000 seats and installing outdoor heating.

Under his leadership, Fenerbahce became one of the world’s top 20 wealthiest soccer clubs and was the pride of Turkey as it ventured often into Europe’s lucrative Champions League, which pits the top finishers in each of Europe’s major national leagues. The blustery, volatile Yildirim was as well-known as the prime minister.

In 2012, however, he got attention for all the wrong reasons.

The 60-year-old tycoon was convicted in July by Istanbul’s 16th Heavy Penal Court of “forming and leading a criminal gang” that rigged four games and offered payments to players or rival club officials to fix three others — all so Fenerbahce could stay in the Champions League, a benefit the club estimated to be worth $58.5 million a year. He is appealing his conviction, maintaining his innocence.

Corruption, Gambling, Sports, The Dirty Game, Soccer Read more Comments

Lindsey Vonn earns 50th World Cup win

Nesha Starcevic The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 2:53pm

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany -- A career milestone and a rare family reunion. All of which left Lindsey Vonn in tears, and it made for a perfect day.

Vonn captured her 50th World Cup victory Saturday, winning the downhill on the demanding Kandahar course with temperatures plunging to minus 13.

Lindsey Vonn, Olympic Sports, Skiing, Sports, Winter Sports, World Cup Read more Comments

Nowitzki, NBA stars go home, chase Olympic slots

Nesha Starcevic The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, August 29, 2011 - 3:55pm

With Olympic berths at stake and their league in limbo, Dirk Nowitzki and other NBA stars have flocked home for the European Championship to help their nations try to qualify for the 2012 London Games.

The tournament in Lithuania starts Wednesday and runs through Sept. 18, and the two finalists are the only teams among the 24 entries guaranteed slots in London. Four other teams will earn places in a later qualifying event.

Olympics, Sports, Basketball, NBA Read more Comments

Munich challenging for 2018 Winter Olympics

Andrea M. Jarach, Nesha Starcevic, The Associated Press The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, July 4, 2011 - 4:43pm

MUNICH -- After overcoming domestic opposition, winning a strong government endorsement and earning praise from the IOC, the Bavarian capital of Munich believes it is in a strong position to secure the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Munich is considered a close second behind the South Korean city of Pyeongchang ahead of the International Olympic Committee vote on next Wednesday in Durban, South Africa. Annecy, France, is the third contender.

Olympics, Sports Read more Comments

Germany, U.S., Brazil battle for women's Cup

Nesha Starcevic, The Associated Press The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, June 25, 2011 - 6:46pm

FRANKFURT, Germany -- When Germany won its first major title in women's soccer, coming home with the trophy from the 1989 European Championship, the players' bonus was a coffee set. A tacky one to boot, with a design of red and blue blooming flowers -- and a flaw.

The discount, second-choice product from a local manufacturer may have been a poor pick for a gift, but consider that this was the same German federation that had banned organized women's soccer between 1955 and 1970.

The women's game has come long way since its pioneer days. Should Germany win the Women's World Cup, the players will be able to buy any tea set they want -- and then some -- with their bonuses of $85,410 each.

Sports, World Cup, Soccer Read more Comments

Klitschko-Haye could take place outside Germany

Nesha Starcevic, The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, March 7, 2011 - 5:21pm

FRANKFURT, Germany -- The highly anticipated fight between IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko and WBA title-holder David Haye could take place outside Germany, Klitschko's management said Monday.

The Klitschko Management Group said it was looking at soccer stadiums in Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen and Kaiserslautern, but also at "two options abroad."

KMG executive Bernd Boente said the fight would take place in prime time for German television, but did not say which possible locations outside Germany were being considered.

Boxing, Sports, Mixed Martial Arts Read more Comments

Utah's Ligety wins giant slalom title at worlds

Nesha Starcevic, The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, February 18, 2011 - 3:56pm

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany -- Ted Ligety produced a clean second run under declining conditions and gave the United States its first gold medal of the world championships Friday when he won the giant slalom title.

Ligety jumped from fourth to first, making virtually no mistakes on a course softened by mild weather, and edged Cyprien Richard of France by .08 seconds.

"It was nerve-wrecking for sure," Ligety said. "This slope is difficult, especially in these conditions. I thought I'd lost it. I feel so lucky to come back and win it."

Richard moved up from seventh after the first run.

Olympics, Skiing, Sports Read more Comments

France beats Austria for team event gold

Nesha Starcevic, The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 9:22pm

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany -- Cyprien Richard and last-minute substitute Anemone Marmottan helped France edge Austria to win the team event Wednesday at the world championships.

Both teams won two of the four parallel giant slalom races but France took the gold because it had faster times. Richard's convincing win over Philipp Schoerghofer proved crucial for the tiebreaker, while Marmottan, who replaced Taina Barioz in the final, beat Michaela Kirchgasser by one-hundredth of a second for a key point.

"It's great to win the title ahead of Austria. That's the best way to win it," said Thomas Fanara, one of the French foursome. "It's amazing to be a champion with the team."

Olympics, Skiing, Sports Read more Comments

Injured German captain Ballack to miss World Cup

Nesha Starcevic The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, May 17, 2010 - 5:33pm

FRANKFURT -- Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup because of torn ligaments in his right ankle, a serious blow to the three-time champions less than a month before the tournament.

Sports, Soccer Read more Comments