Sun News Digest

NATIONAL

Rove back on task

Out from under a cloud of suspicion, Karl Rove, President Bush's political chief, is working feverishly at what he loves best: plotting aggressively to boost Republicans election-year chances. pg 1a

Medicare premium mix-up

The federal government erroneously has reimbursed about 230,000 Medicare recipients for monthly premiums they paid this year for prescription drug coverage. The refund will undoubtedly cause confusion, particularly because it comes with a letter that mistakenly states that the monthly premiums will no longer be deducted from beneficiaries Social Security checks. pg 3a

MARYLAND

Schisler merger role questioned

Baltimore's chief lawyer demanded that Public Service Commission Chairman Kenneth D. Schisler recuse himself from Constellation Energy merger hearings, saying his objectivity has been compromised by the state Republican Party's payment of his legal expenses. pg 1a

Prisons chief steps down

The commissioner of the Maryland Division of Correction, Frank C. Sizer Jr., retired amid continuing turmoil over the state's troubled prisons and the slayings of two correctional officers.pg 1b

TODAY

The road back for Keith Mills

Sports reporter Keith Mills, sentenced to home detention for stealing painkillers from a neighbor, tries to take life one day at a time. pg 1c

Understanding Paris

Paris Hilton says her main problem is that people don't see how hard she works. pg 1c

BUSINESS

DOW -- DOWN

-41.94

11,297.90

NASDAQ -- DOWN

-15.36

2,134.66

S&P -- DOWN

-5.83

1,292.99

SUN INDEX -- DOWN

-2.33

322.21

Trustee named in check case

A bankruptcy judge appointed an independent trustee to take control of A&B Check Cashing after federal officials said they found evidence that the Baltimore company's owners were involved in a check-kiting scheme that cost local financial institutions millions of dollars. pg 1d

WORLD

Journalists appear on video

Two Fox News journalists kidnapped last week in the Gaza Strip appealed in a videotape released yesterday for their release. pg 1a

U.S. faults Iranian response

The Bush administration said that Iran's response to international efforts to restrain its nuclear program fell short of a U.N. Security Council demand that Tehran suspend its uranium enrichment activities by Aug. 31. pg 11a

Israel accused of war crimes

Amnesty International accused Israel of committing war crimes during its recent campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying it broke international law by deliberately causing extensive destruction to the country's infrastructure. pg 13a

SPORTS

UM sells field naming rights

The University of Maryland will receive $25 million over 20 years to rename Byrd Stadium as Chevy Chase Bank Field. The money will help fund the school's planned stadium expansion. pg 1e

Baxter gets 2 months in jail

Former Maryland basketball star Lonny Baxter pleaded guilty to gun-related charges in Washington and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. pg 1e

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"May God blind them all, like they blinded us."

Adiba Awla Baiz, testifying at trial of ex-Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and six co-defendants, accused of killing tens of thousands of Kurds

Article, PG 11A

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