WORLD

Mosque attack organizer killed

U.S. and Iraqi forces announced yesterday that they had killed the mastermind of attacks on Samarra's famed Golden Mosque, which sparked sectarian violence across the country. Haytham Badri was killed Thursday when his car caught fire as he fled a U.S. air assault on his home, Iraqi police said. pg 18a

S. Asian flood toll rises

At least 229 people have been killed in India and neighboring Bangladesh, and 19 million driven from their homes in recent days because of heavy flooding and monsoon rains. Helicopters dropped food to almost 2 million marooned Indian villagers yesterday. pg 21a

NATIONAL

Despite scrutiny, earmarks gain

Eight months after Democrats vowed to shine light on the dark art of earmarking money for pet projects, many lawmakers say the new visibility has only intensified the competition for projects by letting each member see exactly how many everyone else is receiving. pg 3a

MARYLAND

Solutions to state's shortfall

With Maryland facing a $1.5 billion budget shortfall, liberal groups and conservatives, business owners and labor are offering competing plans to raise revenue. The groups are turning to polls and radio ads to push their views. pg 1b

BUSINESS

Sparrows Point's long demise

The mill that armed America during World War II and helped turn Baltimore into a major port now has a tenth of the work force it had in its heyday. For many locals, Sparrows Point is essentially dead, and news of its pending sale to an Esmark Inc.-led venture is unremarkable. pg 1c