■ United States
Radio host warns senators
James Dobson, the conserv-ative leader who used his radio program to call on millions of Christians to vote in the November election, warned in a letter that some senators ``will be in the `bull's-eye'" if they block US Pres-ident George W. Bush's judicial nominees. A January letter from Dobson to supporters of Focus on the Family, the Colorado Springs-based group he founded, suggests that Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota was defeated in Nov-ember in part for blocking votes on Bush nominees. "Let his colleagues beware," Dobson said.
■ United States
36 kids hurt in sled accident
Thirty-six children were injured in a sledding accident during an all-night New Year's Eve party hosted by a religious organization. Three of the children were hospitalized, but all were in stable condition Saturday, hospital officials said. The others were treated and released. Police Sergeant Winston Black said more than 100 children ages 12 to 19 attending a Youth for Christ event gathered at a high school around 4am to slide down a hill using sleds built out of cardboard boxes. A sign posted on the hill prohibited sledding. The children and staff piled eight to 12 passengers on the sleds, Black said. "The sleds struck rocks, a light pole and each other," he said.
■ United States
Reservist auctions goods
A teenage Army reservist whose decision to auction off sports memorabilia to buy equipment for his unit drew criticism has raised nearly US$3,000. Sean Flynn's plans became public last month as the military was being criticized for not adequately supplying some troops in Iraq. His unit, upon hearing reports that the auction was intended to raise funds for body armor and other protective gear, responded by saying its members had all the equipment they needed. The 10-day eBay auction raised US$2,806, plus about US$1,000 in donations.
■ United States
Life detention mulled
The Bush administration is preparing for possible lifetime detention of suspected terrorists, including hundreds whom the government does not have enough evidence to charge, the Washington Post reported yesterday. Citing intelligence, defense and diplomatic officials, the newspaper said the Pentagon and the CIA had asked the White House to decide on a more permanent approach for those it would not set free or turn over to courts at home or abroad. The defense department, with 500 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, plans to ask Congress for US$25 million to build a 200-bed prison to hold detainees who are unlikely to ever go through a military tribunal for lack of evidence, defense officials told the newspaper.
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