News Wrap: NYC police call hatchet attack a ‘terrorist act’

In our news wrap Friday, a hatchet attack on four rookie police officers in New York is being labeled a “terrorist act.” The suspect, who was killed, was a recent convert to Islam but had no ties to international terrorism. Also, a student opened fire in a high school cafeteria in Marysville, Washington, killing one before turning the gun on himself. Three more students are in critical condition.

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  • JUDY WOODRUFF:

    A high school near Seattle, Washington, went into lockdown today after a student opened fire in the cafeteria. Police in the town of Marysville reported one person was killed, along with the gunman, who shot himself. Hospital officials said four students were wounded, three of them critically with head injuries. Students were seen streaming out of the school as officials searched the campus room by room. Police said they were confident there was only one gunman.

    Canadian lawmakers pledged today to make tougher laws against terrorism after two separate attacks left two soldiers dead. In response to the incidents, the Canadian military told troops nationwide to stop wearing their uniforms in public. The funeral for Corporal Nathan Cirillo was held in Ottawa today. He was gunned down at the National War Memorial before his killer went on a rampage through parliament. Officials said there's still no link between the gunman, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, and Islamic State militants, although he was a recent convert to Islam.

    Police in New York City labeled a hatchet attack on four rookie police officers a terrorist act by a homegrown radical. The suspect, Zale Thompson, was a Muslim convert, but has no ties to international terrorism. He was killed by police after wounding two officers yesterday in Queens.

    At least 30 Egyptian soldiers died today when their army checkpoint came under siege in the Sinai Peninsula. It was the deadliest single attack in decades on the military. Officials said it started with a car bomb and was followed by rocket-propelled grenades. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the army has been hunting down suspected jihadists in the area.

    There are new concerns today that Islamic State militants are using chlorine gas in Iraq. Three unnamed Iraqi officials told the Associated Press the lethal gas was used last month during fighting in two towns north of Baghdad. About 40 troops and Shiite militiamen showed symptoms of chlorine poisoning, but all recovered.

    In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States is still investigating those reports.

    JOHN KERRY, Secretary of State: When mixed in certain ways, and used in certain ways, it can become a chemical weapon that is prohibited under the chemical weapons agreement. And, therefore, these allegations are extremely serious, and we are seeking additional information in order to be able to determine whether or not we can confirm it.

  • JUDY WOODRUFF:

    If confirmed, it would be the first known chemical weapons attack by Islamic State in Iraq.

    European Union leaders struck a deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent over the next 16 years. Big businesses say that target is too difficult to reach, while environmentalists say it doesn't go far enough. E.U. Council President Herman Van Rompuy spoke after the late-night deal was agreed to.

  • HERMAN VAN ROMPUY, President, European Council:

    It wasn't easy, not at all, but we managed to reach a fair decision. It sets Europe on an ambitious, yet cost-effective climate and energy path. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of mankind. Ultimately, this is about survival. It is the example of a long-term policy.

  • JUDY WOODRUFF:

    The E.U. deal makes it the first major economic bloc to set emission targets before a climate summit in Paris next year.

    Stocks on Wall Street closed out their best week in nearly two years. Strong earnings from Microsoft and other large U.S. companies provided the boost. The Dow Jones industrial average today gained 127 points to close at 16,805. The Nasdaq rose 31 points to close above 4,483. The S&P 500 rose more than 13 points to close at 1,964. For the week, the Dow gained 2.5 percent. The Nasdaq rose 5 percent. And the S&P was up 4 percent.

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