Sun News Digest

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I suspect this will end up in one or more courts ... in the fairly immediate future."

GOV. ROBERT L. EHRLICH JR., ONTHE EARLY-VOTING SYSTEM APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR

ARTICLE, PG 1B

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TOMORROW

HELPFUL BEACH DETAILS

Your resource for what you need to know for this year's vacation on the shore.

IN BEACH GUIDE

DA VINCI CODE, THE MOVIE

The Da Vinci Code, the much promoted and anticipated movie based on the best-selling novel, opens.

IN MOVIES TODAY

SUNDAY

[ FOLLOWING HER DAD

Alexa Ray Joel is following in the footsteps of her dad, Billy Joel. She performs Sunday at the Hard Rock CafM-i in Baltimore.

IN A&E TODAY

ONLINE TODAY

SNIPER TRIAL

Get complete coverage of the shootings in the Washington area.

www.baltimoresun.com/sniper

LIVE ONLINE

Get easy access to information on events, reviews, arts and entertainment.

www.baltimoresun.com/

BUSINESS

-DOW-214.28

11,205.61

-NASDAQ-33.33

2,195.80

-S&P-21.76

1,270.32

-SUN INDEX-3.78

337.89

NATIONAL

Halt to RU-486 sales urged

Republican legislators urged federal regulators to halt sales of RU-486 during a congressional hearing yesterday designed to draw attention to five deaths linked to use of the abortion pill and a companion drug. pg 3a

Senate OKs border fencing

The Senate overwhelmingly approved a measure to build at least 370 miles of double- and triple-layered fences along the U.S.-Mexico border, moving its immigration bill closer to the enforcement-focused approach favored by conservatives. pg 3a

WORLD

Militants part of police force

In a sharp challenge to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the Hamas-led government deployed a new police force made up mainly of members of Palestinian militant groups. pg 14a

Progress on Iraqi government

Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki is planning to present his new government to Iraq's Council of Representatives on Saturday and to formalize his ministry appointments by Monday, U.S. and Iraqi sources said. pg 22a

MARYLAND

Ehrlich assails early voting

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. escalated his assault yesterday on an early-voting system approved by the Democrat-dominated legislature this year, calling it a farce, questioning its integrity and renewing threats of a lawsuit at the state Board of Public Works meeting. pg 1b

Stocks fall on rate fears

Discouraged Wall Street investors sent stocks tumbling on news that consumer prices vaulted higher in April. That fueled concern that the Federal Reserve might keep pushing up interest rates to fend off inflation. pg 1a

SPORTS

Orioles finally solve Red Sox

Erik Bedard pitched seven innings of two-hit ball, Kevin Millar homered against his former team, and the Orioles defeated the Red Sox, 4-3, ending Boston's 13-game, two-season winning streak. pg 1c

TODAY

Guide to `Da Vinci Code'

You didn't read the book. You won't see the movie. But you can still act like you know what the Da Vinci Code is about with our handy cheater's guide. pg 1e

A dream comes true

A former Navy nurse who treated prisoners at Guantanamo Bay will fulfill a dream when she graduates from the University of Maryland School of Medicine tomorrow. pg 1e