Charges dismissed against Marine sniper accused in shooting deaths of 2 Syrians in Iraq

The Marine Corps said Thursday that charges were dismissed against a Camp Pendleton Marine sniper accused in the shooting deaths of two Syrians in Iraq.

The Marine Corps said the charges against Sgt. John Winnick II were dismissed without prejudice by the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, meaning charges could be brought again at a later time.

Winnick, 24, was charged with two counts of voluntary manslaughter and failing to adhere to the military's rules of engagement by firing without reasonable certainty that his targets were hostile.

"In light of all of the circumstances, the commanding general has determined Sgt. …

Death toll feared at 7,000 - Officials discover more bodies buried by massive mudslides

MANAGUA, Nicaragua - At least 7,000 people may have died inCentral America in floods and mudslides unleashed by HurricaneMitch,officials in Nicaragua and Honduras said today.

Dimas Alonzo, chief of operations for Honduras' NationalEmergencyCommittee, estimated at least 5,000 people died in his country.

"We will never know how many people died," he said on localradio.Nicaraguan Vice President Enrique Bolanos said Sunday night thatbetween 1,000 and 1,500 people were buried in a 32-square mile areabelow the slopes of the Casita volcano in northern Nicaragua.That is in addition to least 600 people killed elsewhere inNicaragua, Bolanos said.Earlier today, the …

NO: There are better ways to help and protect older workers

DEBATE: SHOULD MANDATORY RETIREMENT BE ABOLISHED?

In spite of what many people seem to think, there is no law in Canada that requires everyone to retire by age 65. Mandatory retirement is a matter of human resources policies set by employers; it is implied in workplace pension plan arrangements, or it is provided for in collective agreements negotiated between the employer and the union.

It's considered a human rights issue, regulated by human rights legislation at the provincial, territorial, and federal levels. But human rights laws in some provinces-Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland-prohibit age discrimination only for those aged 18 to 64. In other …

Ex-Canada rugby star set for Aussie Rules debut

Ex-Canada rugby union international Mike Pyke is set to make his debut for the Sydney Swans in an Australian Rules selection being billed as one of the most left field in the history of the football league.

Pyke, who is 2-meters (6-feet-6) tall and weighs 104 kilograms (229 pounds), was added to the Swans' rookie list late last year after the club saw video clips of his exploits on the rugby union pitch.

The highlights reel included his long-range intercept try against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2007, when he sprinted 80 meters from inside his own quarter for a score that stunned the famous All Blacks.

The 24-year-old from Victoria, British …

School to hold show auditions

A School's Parent Teacher Association has invited pupils toaudition for a talent show. Pupils can get …

Two men indicted in bust that led to crash

Federal grand jurors have indicted two Charleston men for theiralleged roles in a drug bust last month in which a 72-year-oldJackson County woman's vehicle was struck by a car the fleeing drugsuspect was driving.

The woman, Marjorie Cavender, remains hospitalized in Charleston.

David B. Evans, 55, was indicted Thursday for distribution ofcrack cocaine. A confidential informant working for the Metro DrugUnit allegedly asked Evans to obtain crack cocaine for him.

Police say Evans contacted Willie Ware, who allegedly drove by andtossed more than two grams of crack cocaine wrapped in a napkin atthe two standing on a West Side street corner.

Undercover police …

Allen, Celtics Top Grizzlies 100-96

Reserve Tony Allen filled in when Ray Allen struggled, scoring a season-high 20 points to help the Boston Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies 100-96 on Friday night while his more celebrated namesake was scoreless into the last 10 seconds of the game.

Tony Allen scored 15 in the second quarter to help Boston take the lead for good, Paul Pierce scored 23 with 10 rebounds and Kevin Garnett also had 23 to give the Celtics their eighth straight win. James Posey had nine points and 10 rebounds while also busting open the lip of Memphis' Rudy Gay, who made just one of his first eight shots but finished with 21 points.

Ray Allen went 0-for-9 from the floor, but sank a …