Sun News Digest

NATIONAL

Bush hit by backlash over ports

President Bush is facing a bipartisan backlash over approval of a deal allowing a United Arab Emirates firm to manage six major U.S. ports, including the port of Baltimore. pg 1a

Steps to deal with disasters

An internal White House review of the government's response to Hurricane Katrina recommends a number of steps to improve the ability of the National Guard and reserves to cope with future catastrophic events, officials said. pg 2a

MARYLAND

Call for an `unbiased' audit

Baltimore Police Commissioner Leonard D. Hamm told the City Council last night that he and Mayor Martin O'Malley would welcome an "unbiased" audit of crime reports. pg 1b

Navy athlete accused in rape

The quarterback who led Navy's football team to a bowl-game victory in December has been charged in the rape of a female midshipman, the latest in a line of allegations of sexual misconduct that have shaken the Naval Academy in recent years. pg 1a

TODAY

Oscars coverage by magazines

When it comes to covering the Academy Awards, prestigious magazines aren't settling for photos of nominees. They've turned to ropes, face paint, bling and nudity to capture the moment. pg 1e

Mystery of Washington speech

George Washington's resignation as commander of the Continental Army underscored the principle of democracy. But the history of the handwritten speech is shrouded in mystery. pg 1e

BUSINESS

DOW -- UP

+ 68.11

11,137.17

NASDAQ -- UP

+ 20.21

2,283.17

S&P -- UP

+ 9.63

1,292.67

SUN INDEX -- UP

+ 3.47

344.33

Medicare plan complaints ease

Hot lines for problems with the new Medicare prescription plans have cooled, but haven't chilled altogether. Officials say the falloff in complaints is evidence the program's bugs are being resolved. pg 1d

Lenders bailing in Montgomery

Several national mortgage lenders have pulled out of Montgomery County because they say they don't want to operate under a new local fair-housing law that they claim is vague. pg 1d

WORLD

Dome of Shiite shrine bombed

A powerful explosion shattered the golden dome of one of Iraq's most revered Shiite shrines, setting off sectarian fury in cities and towns across Iraq. pg 1a

SPORTS

Meissner ready for free skate

Kimmie Meissner, the 16-year-old from Bel Air who will compete in the women's figure skating long program at the Winter Olympics today, went over her jumps, spirals and spins in a morning practice and skated in an afternoon workout. pg 1c

Ravens won't tag Jamal Lewis

The Ravens have decided not to place the franchise tag on Jamal Lewis, which could signal the departure of the team's all-time leading rusher. pg 1c

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We need to have some national leadership in securing our ports."

Noel Cunningham, former port police chief in Los Angeles

Article, PG 1a

Up next

Saturday

Maryland Shore in winter

A winter day trip to Ocean City and environs showed that the Shore is everything that it's not in summer with some pleasant surprises.

IN GO TODAY

Sunday

Mad about manga, shojo

Manja and shojo - graphic novels translated from Japanese best-sellers and meant to be read back to front and right to left - are a huge hit with U.S. teenagers.

in Modern Life

ONLINE

TODAY

Winter OLYMPICS

Get full coverage of Maryland ice skater Kimmie Meissner and all Olympics news, including our sportswriters' blogs and podcasts.

baltimoresun.com/olympics

SECURITY of PORT

Catch up on developments on port security and archived coverage of the port of Baltimore.

baltimoresun.com/port