NATIONAL
Technology blurs birth lines
Modern reproductive medicine, a rapidly evolving area of science, challenges traditional notions of parenthood. It's murky legal ground, governed by few specific laws, with judges largely on their own to settle conflicts and rulings that can vary. pg 1a
Administration under siege
White House officials and top-level appointees throughout the executive branch are struggling to cope with the most intensive oversight of an administration in a decade. pg 1a
MARYLAND
Nutria in their sights
A team of federal trappers has been assigned to rid the Eastern Shore of nutria, a voracious herbivore. They have already killed 10,000 of the large rodents. pg 1b
The way the pins fall
Seidel's Bowling Center in Northeast Baltimore is closing today, another casualty in the declining popularity of bowling in general and duckpins in particular. The Gardenville landmark has been in business since 1929. pg 1a
Paving way for healthy bay
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, working with state officials, is spreading concrete reefs to create habitats for fish and crabs. pg 1a
Grads leave on positive notes
Graduates said farewell to colleges throughout the state, where commencement speakers urged them to become valuable members of society. pg 1b
WORLD
Russia pushes back
The row over the removal of a Soviet-era war monument and the remains of soldiers from a central square in the Estonian capital first prompted a diplomatic war of words with Russia, even looting and civil unrest. And then, Russia did what it increasingly tends to do in disputes with nations that have fallen out of its favor: It started cleansing itself of things Estonian. pg 1a
Lebanese conflict spreads
A new front erupted in Lebanon's simmering political conflict in the northern city of Tripoli, where running battles between the Lebanese army and a radical new Palestinian organization said to have ties to al-Qaida killed at least 39 people. pg 7a
SPORTS
Nationals top O's, avoid sweep
Nook Logan's two-run single off reliever Danys Baez in the eighth inning capped a comeback and helped Washington beat the visiting Orioles, 4-3, to avoid a three-game series sweep. PG 1D
UMBC falls in quarterfinals
UMBC's offense stumbles in a 10-6 loss to Delaware, knocking the Retrievers out of the NCAA Division I men's lacrosse tournament. Delaware advanced to face Johns Hopkins in the national semifinals Saturday at M&T; Bank Stadium. pg 8d
TODAY
A house is not afloat
A derelict house boat protrudes out of the harbor near Fells Point, where it has become a conversation piece and hazard to those who navigate the waters. pg 1c
Hip hop lost in translation
Darin Atwater's hip-hop symphony never quite hits the mark, translating a lively culture into something both predictable and lacking the vibrancy of intense colors. pg 1c