NATIONAL
Surge in troops recommended
Top U.S. military commanders in Iraq have decided to recommend a surge of fresh American combat forces, a defense official familiar with the plan said yesterday. pg 3A
Kansas abortion suit tossed
Kansas' attorney general, a vocal abortion opponent, charged a well-known abortion provider with illegally performing late-term abortions, but a Sedgwick County judge threw out the charges yesterday after less than a day. pg 6A
MARYLAND
Protesting United Way's cuts
Some of the Baltimore region's best-known nonprofits are protesting deep cuts in their funding from United Way of Central Maryland, saying they are being forced to reduce staff and programs with little notice. pg 1A
Rush to vaccinate students
With tens of thousands of students facing suspension next month if they do not obtain newly required vaccinations, school systems across the state are going to extraordinary lengths to see that sixth- through ninth-graders are inoculated against hepatitis B and chickenpox. pg 1B
WORLD
Talks with N. Korea failing
Disarmament talks with North Korea recessed yesterday for the United States and its allies, with analysts saying that there appears to be little hope in the future that Pyongyong will agree to abandon its nuclear weapons program. pg 10A
Shopper-retailer showdown
The perennial holiday showdown of wills between retailers and shoppers gets fiercer each year. People shop later and later, waiting for better deals, while retailers hold out, waiting for desperation to overtake the instinct for bargain hunting. This year, the retailers appear to be giving in. pg 10D
SPORTS
Terps face American
Coach Gary Williams may tweak his starting lineup as the Maryland men's basketball team returns to action as it hosts American University today at Comcast Center. pg 1D
Terps won over by freshman
Of the 17 recruits who joined the Maryland football team this past summer, fullback Cory Jackson was initially tagged the least likely to play this season. He came to the staff a little overweight and "was kind of unorthodox," said Dwight Galt, Maryland's director of strength and conditioning. pg 1D
TODAY
New Year's Eve fashion hunt
One determined woman searches for the perfect New Year's Eve dress. pg 1C
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