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MARYLAND
120 city principals warned
The Baltimore school system sent letters to about 120 principals threatening them with disciplinary action, including termination, if their schools fail to provide a complete set of records for each student by the end of this month. pg 1A
Police unravel shooting
Two men whom police identified as Morgan State University students had a third student shoot them in the legs this week as a ploy to avoid a fraternity initiation process, authorities said yesterday. pg 1B
WORLD
Gaza Strip violence overwhelms
When the Palestinians unveiled their new unity government in March, they hailed it as an intellectual powerhouse. But the deaths of more than 50 Palestinians this week on the Gaza Strip suggests that healing the deep divisions between Hamas and Fatah is beyond even this government's capabilities. pg 1A
Five soldiers die in Iraq
Five U.S. soldiers died in attacks across Iraq, and six militants were captured in northeast Baghdad who were suspected of smuggling roadside bombs from Iran into Iraq. Meanwhile, a top Shiite political leader, who suffers from high blood pressure, flew to the U.S. for medical tests. pg 8A
SPORTS
Panty Raid wins at Pimlico
Jockey Edgar Prado rode Panty Raid to a driving victory in the Grade II $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Panty Raid won the 1 1/8 -mile race over second-place Winning Point and third-place Baroness Thatcher. pg 10S
NATIONAL
War bill negotiations fall apart
Negotiations to pay for the war in Iraq fell apart yesterday as the White House accused Democrats of being dug in on a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops. Democrats charged that President Bush refused to accept any accountability for how the war is proceeding. pg 3A
Senate plan worries advocates
A key provision of a Senate compromise for sweeping immigration reform would pit educated workers and foreigners with wealth against those with fewer skills, advocates for immigrants warned yesterday. The plan would replace a system in which employers and family members sponsor immigrants with a merit system that gives preference to advanced-degree holders and proficient English speakers. pg 3A