The News in 2 Minutes

From The Associated Press

DPS may deploy more cameras

PHOENIX—The Department of Public Safety is telling potential bidders to be prepared to put up to 170 speed and red-light cameras systems along Arizona highways and at intersections.

That means the number of camera systems that the state police agency envisions under a possible contract could add up to significantly more than 100 anticipated under Gov. Janet Napolitano’s recent proposed budget, which projected receiving $90 million in additional net state revenue from speed cameras in the next fiscal year.

The potential number of camera systems and other key elements of the DPS’ proposed statewide deployment of speed enforcement cameras are outlined in a formal request for proposals for a contract to provide and operate the systems.

The request states that cameras would be placed both at fixed sites, including some highway intersections, and in vehicles parked at spots that could change daily.

DPS now has a handful of contracted mobile units on an experimental basis.

The Associated Press obtained the request for proposals under a public records request.

Atlantis docks, lab installation delayed

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.?—Space shuttle Atlantis and its astronauts delivered a sparkling new lab to the international space station Saturday, but had to delay installing it by a day because of a crew member’s medical problem.

One of the two spacewalking astronauts who was to help install the $2 billion European science lab, Columbus, was pulled because of a non-life-threatening condition. The installation won’t take place until Monday.

NASA officials would not say why German astronaut Hans Schlegel, 56, was being replaced, but Atlantis’ commander, Stephen Frick, requested a private medical conference with flight surgeons shortly after reaching the space station.

The two crews were supposed to unload Columbus and attach it to the station Sunday. Just a few hours after the station and the shuttle linked up, Mission Control informed the astronauts about the delay.

Mission Control said Schlegel’s crewmate, Stanley Love, would take his place. Love trained for the work, just in case.

Suicide bomber kills at least 25 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—A suicide bomber blasted a political gathering Saturday in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 25 people, wounding dozens and stoking fears about security surrounding this month’s parliamentary election.

In the south, an estimated 100,000 supporters of Benazir Bhutto turned out for her party’s first major election rally since her assassination on Dec. 27. Bhutto’s widowed husband told the crowd he had a responsibility to save the nation from President Pervez Musharraf’s rule.

Also Saturday, riot police in the capital of Islamabad fired water cannons and tear gas against hundreds of lawyers protesting the detention of the deposed chief justice.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion fell on Islamic militants with ties to the Taliban and al-Qaida. Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz said the militants are threatening all political parties in the northwest.

Fire tears through London’s Camden market

LONDON — A major fire broke out late Saturday at London’s famous Camden market, ripping through one of the city’s top tourist draws and a nearby celebrity hangout, fire officials and witnesses said.

Flames from the blaze sent bright red cinders and huge plumes of smoke into the night sky. Fire officials said the blaze was being brought under control more than three hours after it was reported. There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

The culturally vibrant Camden area has six open-air and indoor markets hawking everything from handmade soaps to second hand clothing. Originally established as a craft market in 1974, it is now the center of London’s alternative fashion scene, and its clubs and bars are popular with rockers and music makers.

Yahoo board plans to turn down Microsoft

SAN FRANCISCO —Yahoo Inc.’s board will reject Microsoft Corp.’s $44.6 billion takeover bid after concluding the unsolicited offer undervalues the slumping Internet pioneer, a person familiar with the situation said Saturday.

The decision could provoke a showdown between two of the world’s most prominent technology companies with Internet search leader Google Inc. looming in the background. Leery of Microsoft expanding its turf on the Internet, Google already has offered to help Yahoo avert a takeover and urged antitrust regulators to take a hard look at the proposed deal.