MARYLAND
Six die in city rowhouse fire
Six people were killed - some burned beyond recognition - and seven people were severely injured yesterday when a fire raged through an East Baltimore rowhouse in one of the deadliest fires in the city in recent years. pg 1a
Mitchell to propose reforms
City Councilman Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr., a candidate for mayor, will propose today reforms that would change the way the city awards contracts, including eliminating two mayoral appointees from the Board of Estimates. pg 1b
NATIONAL
An ominous hurricane forecast
Just as Americans are beginning to think about the sunny seashore, federal hurricane forecasters were clouding the horizon with another ominous prediction for the Atlantic hurricane season. pg 3a
New birth-control pill approved
The first birth-control pill meant to put a stop to women's monthly menstrual periods for as long as they use it won federal approval yesterday. pg 3a
WORLD
Ex-KGB agent accused in killing
British prosecutors said they have sufficient evidence to charge a former member of the KGB with the killing of former spy Alexander Litvinenko, whose death by radiation poisoning in London last fall prompted finger-pointing in all directions - including at the Russian president. pg 12a
Palestinian refugees flee camp
Thousands of Palestinian refugees, caught for days in the crossfire between warring government troops and Islamist militants with alleged al-Qaida ties, began fleeing their embattled camp as a lull in the fighting took hold. pg 12a
TODAY
'American Idol' and the news
While American Idol's power to crush all prime-time network competition has long been known, what has industry analysts shaking their heads this spring is the way in which the Fox show has been shaping late local news ratings after its closing credits roll Tuesday and Wednesday nights. pg 1a
Maroon 5's summer CD
It is the ideal summer CD, one with songs that feel as good as the sun on your face. It Won't Be Soon Before Long, the new album by Maroon 5, finally hit stores this week, five years after Songs About Jane, the pop band's blockbuster that sold 10 million copies worldwide. pg 1c
BUSINESS
DOW -- DOWN
- 2.93
13,539.95
NASDAQ -- UP
+ 9.23
2,588.02
S&P; -- DOWN
- 0.98
1,524.12
SUN INDEX -- UP
+ 0.03
350.21
EU carriers may focus on BWI
A new accord between the United States and the European Union could help bolster BWI Airport's international business, with low-cost carriers providing much of the service, government and industry officials and consultants said yesterday. pg 1d
Lender's shareholders OK deal
Shareholders in Fieldstone Investment Corp. of Columbia approved yesterday the sale of the struggling nationwide subprime lender in a deal valued at $188 million. pg 1d
SPORTS
Medical relief for NFL retirees
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league and related entities, including the NFL Players Association, will work to coordinate medical support services for former players. pg 1e