NATIONAL
Bush assails Democrats
President Bush denounced "irresponsible" Democrats yesterday for going on spring break without approving money for the Iraq war with no strings. He condemned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Syria, too. pg 3a
McCain retooling campaign
Lagging in fundraising and under fire for his support of the Iraq war, Sen. John McCain is overhauling his presidential campaign finance operation and delaying the official announcement of his candidacy. pg 3a
MARYLAND
Scholarship reforms sought
A House of Delegates committee will take up a bill today that would bar lawmakers from knowingly doling out scholarships to their relatives or the family members of colleagues. But even if the General Assembly approves the changes, critics say the measure will do little to curb a practice that they say amounts to political patronage. pg 1a
WORLD
Britain wants talks with Iran
Britain called for direct talks with Iran to resolve a dispute over 15 captive Britons yesterday after its first contact with the chief Iranian negotiator. The announcement followed the sudden release of an Iranian diplomat in Iraq that raised new hope for resolving the standoff. pg 11a
BUSINESS
DOW -- UP
+128.00
12,510.30
NASDAQ -- UP
+28.07
2,450.33
S&P; -- UP
+13.22
1,437.77
SUN INDEX -- UP
+0.19
358.85
Settlements for SafeNet
SafeNet Inc., the Harford County technology company under federal investigation for its stock option grants, has reached settlements with two of its former top executives, according to documents filed late yesterday. pg 1d
SPORTS
Goestenkors takes Texas job
Gail Goestenkors, the coach who built a powerhouse during her 15 seasons leading the Duke women's basketball team, resigned to take over at Texas, replacing Hall of Famer Jody Conradt. pg 3e
TODAY
'Done Yet' falls short
There's a funny premise at the core of Are We Done Yet? Too bad the movie, starring Ice Cube, doesn't do much with it. pg 1c