News briefs

School shooting in Pennsylvania

A 14-year-old boy shot and killed his principal and then himself Thursday at a Red Lion, Pa. junior high school. About 350 students were in the school’s cafeteria before classes began when the shootings occurred. Police found two guns in the boy’s possession. The boy is described as having been a quiet eighth-grader who enjoyed skateboarding and basketball. The school does not have metal detectors, but does have security cameras.

Rudy Giuliani to marry

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will marry his longtime friend, Judith Nathan, May 24. Mayor Michael Bloomberg will officiate the service. Giuliani said in recent interviews that Nathan was very supportive during his battle with prostate cancer. The announcement came five months after his divorce from Donna Hanover was finalized. The couple had been married for 20 years.

Pataki plans to move into new building

New York Gov. George Pataki said he will move his office to the new World Trade Center Complex once it is built. The new tower, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, will stand 1,776 feet tall. The entire project is expected to be completed by Sept. 11, 2006, which will be the governor’s final year of his third term in office. Several years ago Pataki moved his offices from midtown Manhattan reportedly to save the taxpayers money on lower rent.

Attorney to seek death penalty in Peterson case

Two senior deputies to California’s District Attorney Jim Brazelton will seek the death penalty in the Scott Peterson case. Peterson, 32, was arrested last week and charged with the murder of his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner. Peterson’s bail hearing is set for May 6. Pretrial proceedings are scheduled to begin May 19. Three attorneys from the public defender’s office are leading Peterson’s defense team.

Malvo statements front and center

During a court appearance Monday, the attorney for sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo will attempt damage control for comments made by his client last November. During last year’s interview with investigators, the teen allegedly admitted to participating in many of the sniper shootings and confessed to being the triggerman in the shooting of the FBI analyst. Police said Malvo was calm and relaxed during the interview and even smiled and laughed when he described the shootings. Malvo’s case will be heard before Fairfax County Circuit Judge Jane Marum Roush.

Bush promotes tax cut plan

After returning from Ohio, President George W. Bush promoted his tax cut plan during his weekly radio address Saturday. The president said while the economy is showing signs of strength, it still needs the aid of tax cuts. The plan, he said, would eliminate $550 billion in taxes across the board. Democrats say the plan is reckless and is targeted toward the privileged few.

Actor Jamie Foxx involved in casino fight

Actor Jamie Foxx, along with his sister, was arrested early Saturday at a casino in New Orleans. Police say Fox, 35, skirmished with officers after he and his sister refused to show identification to the casino’s security guards. The actor was arrested for trespassing, battery on officers and resisting arrest.

How to contain SARS

Health ministers from Asia gathered last weekend to discuss how to contain sever acute respiratory syndrome. The illness, which has killed more than 270 people and infected about 4,600, has spread to 28 countries so far. Canada and China are the worst hit nations. Canada has 663 people in quarantine. Vietnam will become the first country to contain the illness if it reaches the end of the month without any new cases.