WORLD
Sunnis loyal to U.S. threatened
An al-Qaida front group threatened to assassinate Sunni leaders who support American troops in Iraq as a Shiite bloc loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr defected yesterday from the Iraqi government's parliament base. pg 27a
Musharraf's re-election assured
Pakistan's ruling party assured President Gen. Pervez Musharraf yesterday that he would be elected to a new five-year term in October before exiled opposition leader Benazir Bhutto returns to the country. pg 28a
NATIONAL
Wesley Clark endorses Clinton
Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton won the endorsement yesterday of retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who sought the party's nomination in 2004 and whose military credentials could bolster her bid to be the first female commander in chief. pg 3a
GM, union talks continue
General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers made progress at the bargaining table yesterday but still face significant hurdles on retiree health care. They aren't expected to agree on a new contract until later in the weekend. pg 3a
MARYLAND
Drought linked to fish kills
An explosion of toxic algae that led to at least 15 fish kills in the Chesapeake Bay was itself the result of this summer's drought, according to a University of Maryland scientist. pg 1b
Shootings by police rise
As homicides and shootings have soared in Baltimore this year, so too has the number of people shot by city police officers: 24 since January, compared with 15 in all of 2006 and eight in 2004. pg 1b
BUSINESS
Mercantile reopens as PNC
A Baltimore banking institution fades from view as Mercantile Bankshares name and logos are replaced in 240 branches by PNC Financial's, the culmination of a lengthy, $6 billion acquisition. pg 1c
REAL ESTATE
Incentives for homebuyers
It's a buyers' bonanza in today's competitive housing market, as home sellers and their agents offer cash and prizes to close a sale. pg 1l
SPORTS
Playing through the pain
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is shrugging off the pain and inspiring a team full of banged-up players, who play their home opener today against the New York Jets. pg 1d
ARTS & LIFE TODAY
The awards go to cable
After a rough summer, broadcast networks could be in for more pain tonight at the annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. The event could wind up celebrating the cable industry instead. pg 1e