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NATIONAL
House acts to withdraw troops
A sharply divided House voted yesterday to order President Bush to bring combat troops home from Iraq next year, a victory for Democrats in an epic war-powers struggle and Congress' boldest challenge yet to the administration's policy. pg 1a
Houdini a homicide?
A team of forensic experts will pore over the exhumed remains of renowned escape artist Harry Houdini to determine whether he was a homicide victim more than 80 years ago, the head of the investigative team said yesterday. pg 7a
SPORTS
Meissner trailing at worlds
Defending champion Kimmie Meissner of Bel Air was fourth after a clean short program at the World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo. Yu Na Kim of South Korea led with 71.95 points. Meissner's score was a personal best, at 64.67 points. pg 1c
WORLD
Diplomatic efforts on Iran
Diplomats struggled yesterday to resolve a standoff prompted by Iran's seizure of 15 British seamen in the volatile Persian Gulf as a vote neared on U.N. sanctions that would punish the Islamic republic for its nuclear enrichment program. pg 1a
Bomb wounds Iraqi official
Bombings in Iraq wounded one of the country's two deputy prime ministers in his prayer room yesterday and killed nine people, the latest attack on Sunni Muslims perceived as a collaborators because of their involvement with the U.S.-backed government. pg 10a
Sales of existing homes rise
Sales of existing homes rose last month by the largest amount in nearly three years, but worsening troubles in subprime mortgages were viewed as a roadblock to a full-fledged rebound. pg 13c
MARYLAND
Smoking ban near approval
The proposed statewide smoking ban has the votes to pass, Maryland legislators say, but work remains on exemptions for certain establishments. pg 1a
O'Malley gets things done
Gov. Martin O'Malley used his authority to close a state prison, force the closure of a youth facility and restore confidence in the PSC. pg 1a
TODAY
Tattooed memories of father
In this month's "Find" feature, 21-year-old Stephanie Jackson preserves memories of nature walks with her father - by getting her first tattoo. pg 1d
A riveting anti-war symphony
Rocking the Cradle, which the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra premiered Thursday night, speaks volumes about composer Richard Danielpour's impassioned views on the war in Iraq. pg 1d