Woods to take leave from golf, focus on marriage

Woods to take leave from golf, focus on marriage

Tiger Woods said Friday he is taking an indefinite leave from golf to work on saving his marriage, using the word “infidelity” for the first time in a statement posted on his Web site.

“After much soul-searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf,” Woods said. “I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father and person.”

The announcement came two weeks after a car accident that set in motion a shocking downfall for the world’s No. 1 player, which has included sordid allegations of numerous extramarital affairs. One woman even shared a voice mail she said Woods left her two nights before his Nov. 27 accident.

Woods has not been seen in public since the accident.

Study: 2-drug combo helps advanced breast cancer

SAN ANTONIO — Some women with very advanced breast cancer may have a new treatment option. A combination of two drugs that more precisely target tumors significantly extended the lives of women who had stopped responding to other medicines, doctors reported Friday.

It was the first big test of combining Herceptin and Tykerb. In a study of 300 patients, women receiving both drugs lived nearly five months longer than those given Tykerb alone.

Doctors hope for an even bigger benefit in women with less- advanced disease and were elated at this much improvement for very sick women who were facing certain death.

ACORN wins court ruling

NEW YORK — The U.S. government’s move this fall to cut off funding to ACORN was unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled Friday, handing the embattled group a legal victory.

U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon issued the preliminary injunction against the government, saying it’s in the public’s interest for the organization to continue receiving federal funding.

ACORN claimed in its lawsuit that Congress’ decision to cut off its funding was unconstitutional because it punitively targeted an individual organization.

Woman, 98, indicted in murder of roommate, 100

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A 98-year-old woman was indicted Friday on a second-degree murder charge that alleges she strangled her 100-year-old nursing-home roommate after making the victim’s life “a living hell” because she thought the woman was “taking over the room.”

Laura Lundquist was sent to a state mental hospital for a competency evaluation before her arraignment.

She is believed to be the oldest murder defendant in state history, but might never go to trial because of her mental-health issues.

Wife of SC governor files for divorce

CHARLESTON, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford may be keeping his office, but he is losing his marriage.

First lady Jenny Sanford capped a tumultuous week by filing for divorce Friday, two days after state lawmakers stopped short of recommending her husband’s removal for a top-secret June rendezvous with his Argentine mistress. He will not say whether he is still in contact Maria Belen Chapur, the woman he famously called his “soul mate.”

Jenny Sanford, a former Wall Street executive who helped launch her husband’s political career, said Friday their 20-year marriage could not be repaired.

Top UN official in Afghanistan to step down

KABUL — The top U.N. official in Afghanistan said Friday he will step down early next year after a rocky two-year tenure marked by a fraud-marred national election and a deadly Taliban attack on U.N. employees.

The departure of Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide provides an opportunity to restructure the civilian side of the international mission as the Obama administration’s military strategy kicks into gear.

The 60-year-old Eide, who oversees the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, said he will not renew his contract when it expires in March. He said he has asked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to start searching for a replacement so the post would not be vacant like it was for two months before he started.

Eide’s stewardship was tarnished by allegations from his American deputy, Peter Galbraith, that he was not bullish enough in curbing fraud in the August presidential election. President Hamid Karzai was declared the winner three months later after his last remaining challenger dropped out of a runoff.

Associated Press