NATIONAL
Democrats back Iraq resolution
Congressional Democrats quickly and easily unified behind passing a nonbinding resolution denouncing President Bush's plan to send more U.S. troops to Iraq. But after the measure's expected approval in the House today, party leaders will confront more divisive questions on how to force a determined president to back down. pg 3A
Md. group protests war funds
A small group of Marylanders staged an antiwar protest in the Capitol Hill office of Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski yesterday to demand that she stop voting to fund the war in Iraq. pg 7A
MARYLAND
Walter Sondheim Jr., 98, dies
Walter Sondheim Jr., who led Baltimore schools through desegregation and championed the redevelopment of downtown Baltimore for more than a half-century, died of pneumonia yesterday. He was 98. pg 1A
WORLD
Putin elevates minister
Russian President Vladimir V. Putin promoted his hawkish defense minister to a top government post yesterday, a move that puts Putin's two heirs apparent on equal footing before next year's election to replace the popular leader. pg 16A
Spain rail bombing trial begins
Under heavy guard and shielded by bulletproof glass, 29 men charged in one of Europe's worst attacks, the March 11, 2004, Spanish rail bombings, faced survivors and the families of the nearly 200 dead for the first time yesterday. pg 17A
BUSINESS
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Wholesale costs boost BGE rates
Bills for customers of BGE will go up an average 49 percent starting in June, based on the latest round of bids the utility received from wholesale electric suppliers this week. pg 1E
MaggieMoo's being acquired
Columbia's MaggieMoo's International, the ice cream chain with flavors ranging from eggnog to Red Bull sorbet, is being acquired by the New York company that emerged from the remains of former Maryland technology star Aether Systems. NexCen Brands Inc. is paying about $16.1 million in cash and stock for MaggieMoo's. pg 1E
SPORTS
Ravens' Thomas optimistic
If the Ravens allow Adalius Thomas to become a free agent, the All-Pro linebacker is still hopeful about returning to the team. "The market sets itself every year. Hopefully, Baltimore will step up and get the deal done so I can retire a Baltimore Raven," Thomas told ESPN yesterday. pg 1f
TODAY
'Bridge' links to new world
Bridge to Terabithia crosses over to a world that celebrates friendship, imagination and compassion. pg 1C
Real thriller with 'Breach'
Breach is a real-life spy thriller that describes how a 26-year-old FBI operative helped catch double-agent Robert Hanssen. pg 1C