NATIONAL
Student arrested in bomb hoax
Troopers arrested an MIT student at gunpoint after she walked into Logan International Airport in Boston wearing a computer circuit board and wiring on her sweat shirt. Authorities call it a fake bomb; she called it art. pg 5a
MARYLAND
Charges dropped in rape case
Prosecutors dropped charges against a Baltimore man who had been held in the rape and assault of a 59-year-old Roland Park woman last month, a brutal crime that frightened the tranquil North Baltimore community. pg 1B
O'Malley to close tax 'loopholes'
Gov. Martin O'Malley vowed to close corporate "loopholes" that he said allow large companies to avoid paying millions of dollars in state and local taxes each year. pg 1B
WORLD
Diplomats focus on Darfur
Top diplomats from 26 countries met yesterday to give political momentum to coming peace talks in Darfur and push for an agreement on the composition of a new peacekeeping force, which the U.N. warns needs key contributions from non-African countries. pg 9a
'Here I am,' an alert Castro says
Fidel Castro looked alert and healthier during an hourlong interview taped and aired on Cuban television, responding to rumors of his death with a defiant "here I am." It is the first video of the ailing 81-year-old in more than three months. pg 8A
BUSINESS
DOW -- UP
+53.49
13,820.19
NASDAQ -- UP
+16.93
2,671.22
S&P; -- UP
+7.00
1,525.75
SUN INDEX -- UP
+0.67
352.08
Paper company to grow
An Ohio-based paper company that employs 950 at a mill in Western Maryland is buying the North American operations of one of the worlds largest makers of paper products for $2.1 billion. pg 10D
Mattel takes fall for bad toys
Mattel Inc. tried to save face with Chinese officials, taking the blame for the recent recalls of millions of Chinese-made toys as it strives to mend a strained relationship with the nation that makes most of its toys and fattens its profit. pg 10d
SPORTS
McNair to play; Ogden out
Ravens quarterback Steve McNair will play tomorrow against the Arizona Cardinals, but left tackle Jonathan Ogden will not. pg 5d
Bonds to leave Giants
The San Francisco Giants tell outfielder Barry Bonds they will not bring him back next season, though Bonds says he plans to play next year. pg 4d
TODAY
On prowl for the right runners
With the days getting cooler and more conducive for workouts, the time has come to do some sole searching. Our monthly "Finds" feature follows Kelly Thomasson, a recreational runner, on the hunt for the right shoes for her workout. pg 1C
Actor on becoming Bukowski
Tonight, actor Wayne Willinger of Bolton Hill re-creates hard-living cult writer Charles Bukowski in all his filth and glory. pg 1C