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US: Haditha killings charges dropped against Marine
Charges were dropped against one of the eight US Marines accused in the killing of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha and he has been granted immunity for his testimony.
Iraqi witnesses say Marines shot civilians in their own homes in retaliation for the death of a popular comrade, Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas.
Three Marines remain charged with murder and four others are charged with dereliction of duty for failing to properly report and investigate the deaths of the 24 Iraqi men, women and children.
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Niger: Niger school pupils kill soldier - ministry
High school pupils in Niger have lynched an off-duty soldier, the third such killing in a spate of violent protests according to the Interior Ministry. The soldier was cycling home on his moped past a high school in the capital, Niamey, on Tuesday afternoon when protesters attacked him.
Demonstrations have escalated in recent days, calling on security forces to withdraw from the national university campus in the city, where they have been posted for the past six months to maintain order.
The dispute stems partly from student opposition to the coordinator of student services, Djibril Abarchi. His efforts to cut costs by reducing power and water consumption have proved unpopular with students.
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US: Shooter's note: 'You caused me to do this'
A picture is emerging of Cho Seung-Hui, 23 as a troubled loner whose behaviour had become increasingly erratic prior to his deadly rampage. He had allegedly stalked some women and started a fire in a dormitory room.
He left behind a final note railing against "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans". The Smoking Gun website also reported that he wrote a "bizarre play" about a 13-year-old boy who accuses his stepfather of paedophilia and murdering his father.
Investigators believe Cho had taken medication for depression at some point.
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- REUTERS, NZHERALD STAFF
