Statement

WASHINGTON - In a newly revealed memo, the Obama administration claims authority to target and kill overseas Al Qaeda members, even American citizens, in broad terms that go beyond previous statements by the president and his top aides. The administration's position has brought objections from some longtime critics. However, the response from Congress has been muted, reflecting the degree to which once-controversial practices in drone warfare have become mainstream after more than a decade of conflict.

In the late 1970s when Edward I. Koch won his first term as mayor of New York, the city was in shambles, its coffers and confidence sapped by financial crises and a paralyzing blackout. It needed a fighter and found one in Koch, a well-practiced pol with the determination - and bite - of a bulldog. He steered the city out of bankruptcy and restored its swagger, a one-man cheerleading squad who personified the witty and feisty New Yorker. The three-term mayor of New York and perennial civic combatant, who rallied and riled the city in and out of office with his tenacious style and irrepressible opinions, died Friday of congestive heart failure at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital, said his friend and spokesman George Arzt.

Actress Ashley Judd and her husband, race car driver Dario Franchitti, are divorcing, Us Weekly is reporting . "We have mutually decided to end our marriage. We'll always be family and continue to cherish our relationship based on the special love, integrity, and respect we have always enjoyed," the couple said in a statement. Shortly after the statement was released Judd tweeted: "Family forever. @dariofranchitti. " Franchitti also sent a tweet of his own: "@ashleyjudd family forever.

It would be wrong to base one's judgments about politicians too heavily on their gaffes. Public speakers are exposed to microphones so often that it would be shocking if the occasional boneheaded remark didn't slip out. But in the case of National Rifle Assn. Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, the achingly incongruous statements tend not to come from off-the-cuff remarks but carefully vetted prepared statements. Which leaves us to wonder: How can anybody possibly attract such a large and financially powerful following by uttering statements that defy third-grade logic?

Atari is now bankrupt in two countries. A day after its American unit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection , Paris-based Atari S.A. on Monday took a similar measure under Book 6 of that country's commercial code. U.S.-based Atari Inc. contains most of the French parent company's operations and is actively seeking a buyer while under Chapter 11 in order to continue operating as a private entity. Atari S.A. did not make any indication about its future plans, though with few assets outside of its American subsidiary, it will quite possibly sell off parts of the company and dissolve.

The International Olympic Committee released the following statement Thursday regarding its decision to strip Lance Armstrong of the bronze medal he received in 2000: "Following the recent decisions of [ the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency] and the [International Cycling Union, or UCI] regarding the competitive cycling results of Lance Armstrong, the IOC has disqualified Armstrong from the events in which he competed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, namely, the men's individual road race, where he finished 13th, and the men's individual time trial, where he finished 3rd and was awarded with a bronze medal and a certificate.

Under fire for the accuracy of "Zero Dark Thirty," director Kathryn Bigelow is defending the film's depiction of torture in the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and other lawmakers have criticized "Zero Dark," saying the film is "grossly inaccurate and misleading in its suggestion that torture resulted in information that led to the location" of Bin Laden. The lawmakers asked studio Sony Pictures to attach a disclaimer that the film is fictional. In her most explicit comments on the controversy to date, Bigelow conceded that there are disagreements over certain specifics of the manhunt but insisted that torture was an undeniable part of the U.S. response to the terrorist attacks of Sept.

As the year winds down, multiplexes fill up with films vying for award-season consideration. Thanks to a bumper crop of period movies, late 2012 has showcased some serious talent in the field of costume design. Some of the films are worth watching for wardrobe alone while others serve up but a handful of standout screen-style moments. But whether it's Lincoln's stovepipe hat or Janet Leigh's curve-hugging dress, the costumes here have one thing in common: They help advance the story without hijacking it. 'Anna Karenina' Costume designer Jacqueline Durran mixes 1870s period details with elements of 1950s haute couture to create the resplendent, bustle-back gowns worn by Keira Knightley in this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel, staged on a theater set. The luxurious velvets, feathers and furs, hats and veils inspired an Anna Karenina for Banana Republic collection.

Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent, who was scheduled for a hearing on charges of intoxication manslaughter stemming from a car crash that claimed the life of teammate and friend Jerry Brown on Sunday, released a statement expressing grief and sorrow over the fatal accident. “I am devastated and filled with grief,” Brent's statement read. “Filled with grief for the loss of my close friend and teammate, Jerry Brown. I am also grief-stricken for his family, friends and all who were blessed enough to have known him. “I will live with this horrific and tragic loss every day for the rest of my life.

A member of the Cleveland Browns' grounds crew killed himself at their practice facility, a team spokesman said Sunday. The man's body was found Saturday morning at the facility in suburban Cleveland, the same day Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher committed suicide in front of his coach and general manager after earlier killing his girlfriend. The Browns released a statement calling the man, who was not identified, a good friend and an outstanding employee and saying the team's heartfelt condolences go out to his family.