WORLD

Al-Maliki's standing shaken

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government suffered another defection yesterday, and Iraqis joined the debate about whether he should be replaced. While the U.S. troop buildup has reduced violence in Baghdad, the sectarian death toll around the country is nearly double last year's. pg 20a

Israelis kill two Palestinians

In a breach of Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, two Palestinians opened fire on an Israeli army outpost yesterday before soldiers killed them, Israeli officials said. Twenty-one Palestinians were killed last week, one of the summer's bloodiest. pg 22a

NATIONAL

Ultimatum for Fla. Democrats

The Democratic National Committee voted yesterday to strip Florida of all its presidential convention delegates, threatening to leave the state without a vote for the party's 2008 nominee, unless it delays the date of its presidential primary election. pg 3a

Illegal immigrants targeted

Resolutions to deny a wide range of public services to illegal immigrants have thrust two Northern Virginia counties into the nation's immigration debate. pg 4a

MARYLAND

SUV plunges into lawyer's pool

Shot in an apparent robbery, a man drove his SUV through a concrete wall and into the backyard pool of criminal defense lawyer Warren A. Brown in Northwest Baltimore. pg 1b

Displaced residents organize

"A House for a House" has become the rallying cry for the Save Middle East Action Committee, an advocacy group for homeowners displaced to make way for an $800 million biotechnology park adjacent to Johns Hopkins Hospital. pg 1b

BUSINESS

Tax relief may not be coming

Now that Maryland's hot real estate market has cooled, with prices falling 10 percent or more, can homeowners appeal to have their tax bills lowered? The math isn't simple, because the formula for figuring property taxes provides homeowners some protection from soaring house values. pg 1c

SPORTS

Ex-Mervo star reaches semis

James Carter, who ran for Mervo, wins his opening-round trial of the 400-meter hurdles in 49.52 seconds at the track and field world championships in Japan to reach the semifinals. pg 3d

ARTS & LIFE TODAY

Winning fall wardrobe

Fashion experts say the buffet of style choices this fall is a good thing; women may find it a little overwhelming. Among the must-haves: a slender, body-conscious dress, a cropped leather jacket, a pair of shoe booties and gloves. pg 1e

TRAVEL

New York minutes

If there's anything better than waking up in a city that never sleeps, it's never sleeping in a city that never sleeps. Fueled by cappuccino and lox, Stephen Henderson hits Manhattan in a 24-hour blitz. pg 1r