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NATIONAL
Officer faces court-martial
The highest-ranking American soldier - and only officer - charged with a crime in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal will be court-martialed on eight charges, including cruelty and maltreatment of prisoners, his lawyer confirmed yesterday. pg 3a
WORLD
Bush defends Iraq strategy
President Bush defended his Iraq strategy yesterday in a closed-door meeting with House Republicans and told reporters that he is the "decision maker" on troop deployments even if Congress opposes his plans. pg 1a
MARYLAND
Many may lose funeral deposits
With the news this week that the state suspended a funeral director's license and that the FBI raided his offices as part of a fraud investigation, dozens of people are afraid they'll lose thousands of dollars they deposited for prepaid services at Stella Funeral Home in Baltimore. pg 1a
Planners issue BRAC warning
State planners warn in a newly released report that the surge of new workers and their families coming to Maryland because of the military base realignment could strain water supplies, snarl traffic and contribute to sprawl in the Baltimore region. The report urges state and local officials to prepare now for more than 25,000 new households expected over the next eight years. pg 1a
T.Rowe Price posts gain
Investors poured $2.6 billion into T. Rowe Price Group Inc. retirement funds last quarter, helping to lead the company to a 27 percent gain in profit for the three months that ended Dec. 31. The company said yesterday that net income for the quarter was $148.9 million, or 53 cents per share. pg 9c
SPORTS
Jockeys fall at Laurel
Jockeys Anna Napravnik and Ryan Fogelsonger both went tumbling as their horses fell while galloping out after completing the sixth race yesterday at Laurel Park. Fogelsonger is expected back today, but Napravnik is expected to be out through the weekend. pg 6c
TODAY
Time to plan the garden
Despite the winter chill, it's time to think spring. This year, sow seeds and friendship in a community garden plot. pg 1d