■ United States
Bridesmaid sisters killed
Three sisters on their way to be bridesmaids at their brother's wedding were killed in a head-on collision with a minivan near where the ceremony was to take place. The sisters were trying to pass another vehicle on a highway near Willmar in west-central Minnesota when the crash occurred on Thursday night, the State Patrol said. The wedding was to proceed as scheduled yesterday, the family said. "They would totally want this wedding to go on," Debbie Mayer said on Friday of her daughters, aged 19, 17 and 12. The driver of the minivan, a 15-year-old girl with a learner's permit, suffered a broken ankle. Her mother and 12-year-old brother were in the vehicle but were not seriously hurt.
■ United States
Detroit named fattest city
Houston, judged the US' fattest city for the past three years, is starting to look thinner -- but only when it's measured against Detroit. Houston is now the second-fattest city among 25 that were compared by Men's Fitness magazine in its February issue, due out this month. The scales tipped Detroit's way because of a jump in TV viewing, a worsening commute time and a scarcity of gyms, the magazine said. Houston officials were pleased, although the sixth annual survey made it clear their city still could stand to lose more than a few kilograms.
■ United States
More cows quarantined
Authorities quarantined a third herd of cattle in Washington state in a widening investigation of mad cow disease after they located another cow from the same Canadian herd as the infected cow. At least some cows quarantined since the discovery last month of a Holstein with the brain-wasting disease will be destroyed, either because of possible exposure to the infection or to quell public fear, Ron DeHaven, the Agriculture Department's chief veterinarian, said on Friday. "It would be safe to assume that ... some or all those animals will need to be sacrificed," DeHaven said of the quarantined cattle.
■ Canada
Meat ban hurts dog race
US beef, pork and chicken products destined for dogs in an international sled-dog race in Canada will not be allowed across the border because of fears about mad cow disease. Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race organizers this week notified mushers that any dog food containing proscribed meat products could not cross the border because of health concerns. The notice came as many mushers were working to meet a Jan. 23 deadline for having food ready to be delivered to drop points along the 1,600km course from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon.
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