Nation digest 10/30/01

Minute of silence withstands challenge

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court turned away a challenge to Virginia's mandatory minute of silence in schools on Monday, declining to take a closer look at the silent prayer issue it last examined 16 years ago.

Opponents say the Virginia law flies in the face of previous high court rulings on separation of church and state. Supporters say children are not forced to pray -- they can stare out the window if they choose.

The court's action means the state's morning minute of silence will remain in force, and opponents have no immediate avenue to challenge it.

The justices' action was not a ruling on the merits of the law or of the church-state challenge mounted by the American Civil Liberties Union, but did indicate the case could not muster the minimum four justices needed to hear an appeal.

Government posts $127 billion surplus

WASHINGTON -- After nearly a decade of an improving bottom line, the government's budget surplus shrank to $127 billion for 2001, about half the previous year's record total.

The sour economy and rising spending will probably wipe out the surplus altogether in the current budget year that began Oct. 1, analysts said.

The smaller 2001 surplus, announced by the Bush administration Monday, followed the record $237 billion in 2000.

The latest snapshot of the government's finances marked the first time since 1992 that the balance sheet didn't show an improvement. At that time, the government's deficit had bloated to a record $290 billion. In subsequent years the deficit shrank and since 1998 the government has registered surpluses.

Teen in school shooting hangs himself in cell

SAN DIEGO -- An 18-year-old student who wounded five people in a shooting rampage at his high school earlier this year hanged himself with a bedsheet in his jail cell Monday, authorities said.

Jason Hoffman, who had a history of mental illness, was found dead at San Diego's Central Jail, where he had been in a cell by himself. He left behind writings that indicated "he was displeased with the world," said sheriff's Lt. Jerry Lewis.

Last month, Hoffman pleaded guilty in the March 22 shooting at Granite Hills High School in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon. His sentencing had been set for Nov. 8. He could have gotten 27 years to life in prison.

Hoffman opened fire in an attack apparently aimed at the school's dean of students. The reason was never fully explained.

Police fire pepper spray at animal activists

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Police fired pepper spray at nearly a dozen animal rights activists Monday as they tried to breach a barricade outside a firm with ties to a controversial British research company.

Nine people were arrested as they tried to scale the 3-foot barricade at the downtown headquarters of Stephens Inc., chanting "stop the torture, stop the pain." Many wore gas masks, bandanas and animal masks, and some had painted animal features on their faces.

"The Battle of Little Rock has begun," a group leader who refused to give his name said over a bullhorn.

About 150 people arrived in Little Rock over the weekend for protests against the company and its investment in Huntingdon Life Sciences.

The demonstration was organized by Philadelphia-based Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, which claims the company's laboratories in Great Britain and New Jersey mistreat animals.

-- From wire reports