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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time." --- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, answering complaints from U.S. troops (Article, Page 1A)
NATIONAL
Senate OKs intelligence bill
By an overwhelming vote, the Senate sent President Bush legislation mandating a sweeping reorganization of the nation's intelligence community. But Congress' completion of that task sets the stage for a more bruising fight early next year over immigration policy. [Page 1a]
Hubble repair mission backed
A National Research Council panel told NASA that it should send a shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope before the renowned observatory turns into space junk. The committe said NASA's proposal for a robotic mission to save Hubble was too likely to fail. [Page 1a]
Soldiers punished in Iraq abuse
At least four members of a special operations task force in Iraq have been disciplined in connection with an investigation of the abuse of prisoners, a Pentagon spokesman said. In at least one case the violation involved a Taser stun gun. [Page 3a]
Breast cancer drug lauded
A newer drug clearly outperforms tamoxifen at preventing breast cancer from returning and should become the first-choice treatment for most women who have had the disease, doctors are reporting. [Page 12a]
WORLD
Troops complain to Rumsfeld
In a rare public venting, soldiers in Kuwait complained to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld about long deployments and a lack of armored vehicles. Rumsfeld responded that the military was producing extra armor for Humvees and trucks as fast as possible, but that the soldiers would have to cope with equipment shortages[Page 1a]
Ukraine OKs vote reforms
Ukraine's parliament approved reforms to ensure a fair ballot in a presidential runoff, prompting tens of thousands of opposition supporters to celebrate in the streets. Parliament's actions were aimed at absentee voting and voting from home. [Page 20A]
MARYLAND
Lab problems found at hospitals
State officials say laboratories at Good Samaritan and Union Memorial hospitals in Baltimore are at risk of losing funding and licenses if they don't fix problems that could threaten patients' health and safety. This year, inspectors found serious problems at Maryland General Hospital's lab. [Page 1a]
Ex-parole officer charged
A former Maryland probation officer was arrested yesterday on federal charges that she extorted money from offenders under her supervision in exchange for favorable treatment. [Page 1b]
Mute swan killing to resume
A last-minute addition to an omnibus federal spending bill has cleared the way for Maryland wildlife officials to resume killing mute swans that destroy Chesapeake Bay grasses. [Page 1b]
SPORTS
Charges filed in NBA brawl
Five members of the Indiana Pacers and five fans were charged with assault in Oakland County, Mich., for their part in a Nov. 19 brawl at The Palace of Auburn Hills. An Oakland County prosecutor alleged that John Green, a 39-year-old fan, instigated the melee. [Page 1c ]
Orioles seek trade for A's Hudson
In addition to trying to lure free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano, the Orioles are trying to trade for Athletics pitcher Tim Hudson. Oakland is believed to be interested in Erik Bedard, B.J. Ryan and some of the Orioles' top minor league pitchers. [Page 1c]
Nuggets cool off Wizards
Andre Miller had 34 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead visiting Denver to a 111-105 victory over the Wizards. Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) added 23 points in helping end Washington's four-game home winning streak. [Page 1c]
BUSINESS
Deal nets millions in taxes
Businesses that avoided Maryland taxes for years by funneling income elsewhere have coughed up nearly $200 million in response to a state settlement offer, but Comptroller William Donald Schaefer said the deal's popularity proves the state could have gotten more than twice as much had it taken a tougher stand. [Page 1d]
Court hears beef ad case
The Supreme Court considered whether the federal government can compel beef producers to pay for an industrywide advertising campaign that featured the slogan "Beef: It's What's for Dinner." The eventual ruling could jeopardize more than 100 federal and state campaigns for other products. [Page 1d]
IBM to sell PC business
International Business Machines Corp. is selling its personal computer business to Lenovo Group Ltd., China's largest personal computer maker. [Page 1d]
TODAY
Laurents directs D.C. revival
Veteran Broadway librettist/director Arthur Laurents is at Arena Stage in Washington this month directing a revival of Hallelujah, Baby!, a Tony Award-winning musical about race relations that he wrote in 1967 with composer Jule Styne and lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The show begins performances tomorrow. [Page 1e]
Martha Stewart to revive show
Martha Stewart will revive her daily homemaking show in September, this time with a live audience, celebrity guests and the help of The Apprentice producer Mark Burnett. [Page 1e]