MARYLAND
2 charged in stabbing death
Two men have been charged with killing an 18-year-old Reisterstown man who was stabbed yesterday inside a McDonald's restaurant near Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Ernest Buchanan Jr. was stabbed in the back after fighting with two men and died on the way to Maryland Shock Trauma Center about 10:30 a.m., city police said. pg 1B
Ocean City business could close
After entertaining generations of beach-goers, Ocean City's signature boardwalk business - Trimper Rides - could be headed for its 117th and final season. Members of the family that runs the company say skyrocketing tax assessments, along with disputes among shareholders, could force them to close after this summer. pg 1B
SPORTS
Ogden to return
Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden told The Sun that he plans on returning to the Ravens for his 12th season. Ogden had been contemplating retirement since the Ravens' playoff loss to Indianapolis. pg 1F
NATIONAL
Bush expected to veto war bill
The Senate voted 51-46 to tie new war spending in Iraq to a timetable for troop withdrawal, setting up the first veto showdown between the Democratic-controlled Congress and the White House. pg 1A
Dangerous questions in debate
Hypothetical questions can be danger zones in presidential debates. In last night's opening debate of the 2008 campaign, it was Barack Obama's bad luck to be the first candidate asked how he would respond, as president, to a hypothetical al-Qaida terrorist strike on two U.S. cities. pg 1A
BUSINESS
DOW -- UP
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NASDAQ -- UP
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2,554.46
S&P; -- DOWN
-1.17
1,494.25
SUN INDEX -- UP
+0.02
359.80
WORLD
Iraq violence could grow
The sectarian violence engulfing Iraq will only grow worse if the U.S. abandons its current military strategy and begins to withdraw its forces, the top American war commander, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, said at a Pentagon news conference yesterday. pg 12A
Putin protests U.S. plans
President Vladimir V. Putin said yesterday that in protest of U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, Russia will suspend its observance of a treaty limiting the deployment of troops and conventional military equipment in Europe. pg 14A
TODAY
A fetching look at puppy love
Year of the Dog, starring Molly Shannon, reinforces what dog owners already know: In a world where things are not always what they seem, the love of a good pooch is one of the few things we can count on. pg 1C
'Next' is beyond belief
Next may be the silliest movie of 2007. The time-travel thriller starring Nicholas Cage is full of absurdities and overextends itself in the believability department. pg 1C