NATIONAL
USCG initially questioned deal
The U.S. Coast Guard initially warned that intelligence gaps prevented it from gauging the potential security threat of Dubai Ports World's proposed takeover of operations at six major U.S. seaports before the deal was approved, according to a document released by a Senate committee. But the Coast Guard said last night the excerpt was taken out of context and that the deal did not compromise national security. pg 1a
WORLD
EU OKs aid to Palestinians
The European Union stepped forward to prevent an immediate financial crisis for the Palestinian Authority before a new Hamas government takes power, granting about $142 million in aid. pg 1a
Saddam trial resumes today
Saddam Hussein is to return to the defense box as his trial resumes today after a two-week recess, adding another potential irritant after days of sectarian bloodshed in Iraq. pg 9a
BUSINESS
DOW -- UP
+35.70
11,097.55
NASDAQ -- UP
+20.14
2,307.18
S&P -- UP
+4.69
1,294.12
SUN INDEX -- UP
+0.93
346.91
For-profit college woes
For-profit colleges, a hot area of higher education growth several years ago, have run into difficulty for a host of reasons, including a rebounding job market suppressing demand for continuing education and investigations into aggressive sales tactics used to fuel enrollments. pg 1d
MARYLAND
Arundel targets sex offenders
In a move to keep sex offenders from roaming school halls, Anne Arundel County school officials want to buy a computer system that would allow them to check the names of visitors against national and state sex offender registries. pg 1b
O'Malley rejects crime criticism
Mayor Martin O'Malley dismissed criticism of his crime-fighting record as part of a political smear campaign, comparing it to attacks leveled at Sen. John F. Kerry in the 2004 presidential race. pg 1b
SPORTS
Baseball Hall gets first woman
Effa Manley, co-owner of the Newark, N.J., team in the old Negro National League, was voted into baseball's Hall of Fame. She is the first woman elected and was one of 17 people from the era of black baseball chosen by a committee. pg 1a
TODAY
Tackling port security
Worried about security at the port of Baltimore? Arnold Schwarzenegger tackled terrorists in the harbor years ago in a not-so-classic movie that never bothered with congressional investigations. pg 1c
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"This is like attacking John Kerry's rationale for his Purple Hearts. ... "
Mayor Martin O'Malley, dismissing criticisms of his crime-fighting efforts and calls for an audit of city crime statistics.
Article, PG 1B
Up next
Tomorrow
Oscar fare
We've got ideas for an Oscar night spread that reflects the diversity of this year's nominated films.
IN TASTE
Sunday
Exposing a family's secret
In a new memoir, Molly Bruce Jacobs writes about the sister whose existence was a well-kept family secret.
IN MODERN LIFE
ONLINE
TODAY
Port Security
For developments on port security and archived coverage of the port of Baltimore, go to: baltimoresun.com/port
State politics
For comprehensive coverage of the General Assembly session, and to submit questions about Maryland politics to The Sun's David Nitkin, find archived stories, polls and other material, go to: baltimoresun.com/politics
