[JURIST] In a significant denial of certiorari Monday, the US Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge [PDF cert petition] by accused "dirty bomber" Jose Padilla [BBC profile] to his status as an enemy combatant [JURIST report] after Padilla asked the justices to bypass the federal appeals court level in his case [JURIST report]. The US government claims it has new evidence tying Padilla to Taliban fighting as well as evidence linking him to explosives training. Padilla's status appeal will now be heard in the US Fouth Circuit Court of Appeals. Bloomberg has more. Human Rights First provides background materials and filings on the Padilla case.