1.   The government asked the justice department to file criminal charges against Marcopper Mining Corp. for alleged negligence leading to an environmentally damaging mine waste leak.

2.   A decision on whether to file criminal charges could be made within a few weeks, said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen M. Mehltretter.

3.   FC Porto defender Jorge Costa filed criminal charges Wednesday against AC Milan star striker George Weah for a head-butt that broke his nose, news reports said.