world

Pentagon revises strategy in Iraq

By Alyson Brodsy and Pauline Jelinek · Wednesday, March 26,2003 11:16 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Surprised by the power of Iraq's paramilitaries, the Pentagon is adjusting its tactics in the push to Baghdad, defense officials said Wednesday.

Surging through the storm

By Alyson Brodsy and David Espo · Wednesday, March 26,2003 12:56 a.m.

American infantry troops fought off a desert attack by Iraqis on Tuesday, inflicting heavy casualties in a clash less than 100 miles from Baghdad. British forces battled for control of Basra, a city of 1.3 million sliding toward chaos. Defense officials said between 150 and 500 Iraqis were killed in the battle near An Najaf, adding there were no immediate reports of American casualties.

Troops advance despite sandstorms

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 26,2003 12:54 a.m.

U.S. Army forces killed between 150 and 500 Iraqi troops after coming under attack near the central Iraqi city of An Najaf, a senior defense official said.

Bush tips his hand on war price tag

Tuesday, March 25,2003 11:37 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush, seeking $74.7 billion as a down payment for war in Iraq, said Tuesday that coalition forces are "on a steady advance" but that he could not predict how long the fighting will last.

North Korea warns of 'second Iraqi crisis' on Korean Peninsula

Tuesday, March 25,2003 11:36 p.m.

SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea claimed again Tuesday the United States may attack the communist state after the war in Iraq and spark a "second Iraqi crisis."

Israeli troops shoot 4 dead

Tuesday, March 25,2003 11:36 p.m.

JERUSALEM -- Israeli forces killed two children and two gunmen in the West Bank on Tuesday, doctors and media reports said, and three Palestinians were sentenced to multiple life terms by an Israeli military court.

Coalition takes over 3,500 Iraqi prisoners

By Matt Kelley · Tuesday, March 25,2003 3:22 p.m.

WASHINGTON - U.S. and allied forces have now taken in "excess of 3,500 Iraqi prisoners," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday.

Sandstorms slow advance on Baghdad, civilian woes in Basra

By David Espo · Tuesday, March 25,2003 3:18 p.m.

British troops battled die-hard Iraqi defenders of Basra on Tuesday as warnings mounted of a humanitarian crisis for the city's 1.3 million residents. Blinding sandstorms plagued the American-led advance on Baghdad.

Saddam promises victory to Iraqi troops and people

By Alyson Brodsy and Hamza Hendawi · Tuesday, March 25,2003 12:40 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- With U.S.-led forces closing in on Baghdad, a composed Saddam Hussein tried to rally his people and his troops with a stirring address Monday in which he vowed that allied forces would be crushed and "victory will be ours soon."

Troops slowed by sandstorm

By David Espo · Tuesday, March 25,2003 12:38 a.m.

Aiming for Saddam Hussein's seat of power, U.S.-led warplanes and helicopters attacked Republican Guard units defending Baghdad Monday while ground troops advanced to within 50 miles of the Iraqi capital. President Bush put a $75 billion price tag on a down payment for the war.

More than 700 people quarantined

By Alyson Brodsy and D’arcy Doran · Monday, March 24,2003 11:16 p.m.

SINGAPORE -- The government of Singapore ordered about 740 people who may have been exposed to a mysterious flu-like illness to stay home Monday for 10 days in efforts to contain the disease, which has sickened hundreds of people worldwide.

Troops continue toward Baghdad

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, March 24,2003 11:15 p.m.

Coalition troops pressed toward Baghdad with new wariness on Monday, as militiamen loyal to Saddam Hussein proved they were not a beaten force and sandstorms snarled the advance. Iraq claimed to have shot down two U.S. helicopters and taken two pilots prisoner, a day after more than 20 Americans were killed or captured. Facing a pattern of deadly ambushes and ruses, and with many of Saddam's supporters discarding their uniforms in favor of civilians clothes, coalition forces responded with tough new tactics in the south.

Saddam addresses his nation and promises victory `is soon'

By Hamza Hendawi · Monday, March 24,2003 12:53 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - With U.S.-led forces closing in on Baghdad, a composed Saddam Hussein tried to rally his people and his troops with a stirring address Monday in which he vowed that allied forces would be crushed and "victory will be ours soon."

US road to Baghdad proves deadly

By Ellen Knickmeyer · Monday, March 24,2003 1:05 a.m.

AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- U.S.-led forces suffered their worst casualties of the war Sunday in two bloody battles near An Nasiriyah that raged for hours before Iraqi resistance was vanquished. Marines said they would move around the city rather than march through it on the road to Baghdad. The battles at An Nasiriyah drew some attention from the relentless advance of the U.S.-led forces, now less than 100 miles from Baghdad after four days of the ground war. Scores of American military personnel landed in Kurdish territory, as the move to open a northern front gathered strength.

Coalition builds northern front

By Borzou Daragahi · Monday, March 24,2003 12:04 a.m.

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq -- The U.S. military's northern front against Iraq appears to be building, with American planes landing in the Kurdish north and more airstrikes pounding positions of a militant Islamic group with alleged al Qaeda and Baghdad ties.

Captured soldiers appear on TV

By Danica Kirka · Monday, March 24,2003 12:03 a.m.

DOHA, Qatar -- Looking by turns frightened or stoical, five captured U.S. soldiers were thrust in front of an Iraqi TV microphone and peppered with questions Sunday. The footage also showed at least four bodies.

War keeps Coast Guard 'on their toes'

By Pauline Arrillaga · Sunday, March 23,2003 11:49 p.m.

TERMINAL ISLAND, Calif. -- Sidearms in place, batons and pepper spray latched to their belts, the two sea marshals scrambled aboard a pilot boat under a sliver of moonlight. Still hours before sunrise, they sped off into black waters, headed for the day's first job on this stretch of the homeland front line.

Rallies show Americans still stand divided on war

By Karen Matthews · Sunday, March 23,2003 11:48 p.m.

NEW YORK -- A day after massive anti-war rallies attracted thousands across the nation -- including more than 100,000 people in a march down Broadway -- hundreds of people gathered in Times Square and other cities Sunday to show support for the war in Iraq.

Missing girl returns home

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, March 17,2003 3:14 p.m.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Trapped in the hills above her anguished family's home for the first two months of her disappearance, Elizabeth Smart may have been kept from escaping or crying out for help by the growing influence of her captors, police said Thursday.

US forces survive ambush

By Alyson Brodsy and Jamey Keaten · Friday, March 14,2003 12:29 a.m.

BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- Attackers firing machine guns ambushed a convoy of U.S. special forces in eastern Afghanistan, prompting a fierce barrage from U.S. troops and coalition aircraft that killed five enemy fighters Wednesday, an Army spokesman said.