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From The Associated Press

Arizona Legislature OKs spending ‘freeze’

PHOENIX—The Arizona Legislature has approved a Republican plan to help fill about half of a projected $1.2 billion revenue shortfall in the current $10.6 billion budget.

A bill approved on party-line votes by the House and Senate Thursday afternoon would freeze $582 million of agency spending and cash in special funds. The bill may reach Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano’s desk on Monday.

Republicans say the move keeps the money from being spent at least temporarily while legislative leaders continue bipartisan talks on a compromise. Democrats contend the action amounts to spending cuts that would harm important government functions.

Legislators disagree on whether to use spending cuts, borrowing or other means to balance the budget, which has been hit hard by the slumping economy.

Rice condemns attack on Jewish seminary

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday condemned a gunman’s attack on a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem, calling it an “act of terror and depravity.” At least eight people were killed when a gunman entered the rabbinical seminary’s library and opened fire.

Rice said she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to express U.S. condolences to the people of Israel and the families of the victims of the Thursday night attack, the first militant attack in Jerusalem in more than four years.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip praised the operation, and thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza to celebrate.

Pentagon bans Google Earth teams from military bases

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Pentagon has banned Google Earth teams from making detailed street-level video maps of U.S. military bases.

A message sent to all Defense Department bases and installations around the country late last week told officials to not allow the popular mapping Web site from taking panoramic views inside the facilities.

Michael Kucharek, spokesman for U.S. Northern Command, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the decision was made after crews were allowed access to at least one base. He said military officials were concerned that allowing the 360-degree, street-level video could provide sensitive information to potential adversaries and endanger base personnel.

His comments came just a few days after published reports suggested that protesters used Google Earth to help plot their access to the roof of the Parliament building in London.

Senate OKs tougher inspections of toys

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Responding to record recalls of products that sickened children, the Senate passed legislation Thursday that would toughen inspections of toys and other playthings made outside the U.S.

The bill calls for a public database of consumer complaints, bolsters the Consumer Products Safety Commission to help it certify the safety of overseas products, bans lead in children’s goods and sets new standards for safe toys.

It won approval by a 79-13 vote after four days of debate. The Bush administration and other critics said the database unfairly could taint manufacturers. But President Bush has not threatened a veto.

The House’s version has many differences, including a lower cap for jury awards.

NYC struck again by mystery bomber

NEW YORK —For the third time in as many years, someone riding a bike and armed with a small explosive has struck in Manhattan, this time in the highest-profile location by far: a landmark military recruitment station in the heart of Times Square.

The bomb, contained in a metal ammunition box, produced a sudden flash and billowing cloud of white smoke at about 3:40 a.m. Thursday — a scene captured by numerous security video cameras. When the smoke cleared, there were no injuries, serious damage nor clear indication of motive.

But like similar attacks on the British and Mexican consulates, the explosion frayed nerves of New Yorkers and tourists alike. Although authorities have not definitively linked the three attacks, the latest episode heightened speculation that they were the work of a lone bomber who, perhaps emboldened by his past success, sought out the bright lights of Times Square.

“Times Square is ‘the crossroads of the world’ and we’re concerned about it,” Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a news conference where the NYPD released a video of the shadowy figure on a bicycle.