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U.N. weapons inspectors, foreign diplomats and journalists leave Baghdad in anticipation of possible war. In Kuwait, about 235,000 U.S. troops and 45,000 British troops move into position and prepare for a possible invasion of Iraq. Hear NPR's Anne Garrels and NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Russia and France announce they will vote against a U.S.-backed resolution that would set a March 17 deadline for Iraqi disarmament. Both have veto power on the U.N. Security Council. A vote initially expected Tuesday will be delayed. Hear from NPR's Nick Spicer, NPR's Melissa Block and Mohammed Aldouri, Iraq's U.N. ambassador.

Delma Banks is scheduled to be executed tomorrow evening for the murder of Richard Wayne Whitehead. Independent producers Matt Ozug and Karen Callahan recorded interviews with Whitehead's parents and the mother of Delma Banks, who talk about their feelings as execution day looms.

Across the United States, National Guard reservists are preparing to go overseas, and in many cases leaving police and fire crews critically understaffed. NPR’s Howard Berkes visits the small rural town of Beaver, Utah as its National Guard unit prepares to leave -- possibly to serve in the Mideast -- and finds conflicting emotions among the soldiers, town residents and the families they leave behind. See photos of Beaver and its residents.

As the U.S., Britain and Spain abandon efforts to win U.N. approval for a new resolution on Iraq, President Bush prepares to address the nation at 8 p.m. ET. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says Bush will issue an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein, that the Iraqi leader leave the country or face war. Meanwhile, all U.S. non-essential personnel are ordered to leave Israel, Syria and Kuwait. Hear NPR News.

In Baghdad, residents hoard basic supplies and foreign diplomats leave the country in preparation for a possible U.S.-military attack against Iraq. In Qatar, residents have mixed feelings about U.S. troops in the country. Hear reporter Paul Eedle and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

The limited U.S. strikes on Iraqi targets in and around Baghdad draw mixed reaction from many parts of the Muslim world. Iran calls the attack "unjustifiable and illegitimate," and Malaysia says the strike represents "a black mark in history." But Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak criticizes Iraq's role in the conflict. Hear NPR's Michael Sullivan.

Across the nation, educators are balancing mandates to improve test scores and a chronic lack of resources with the need for children to have enough time to simply be children. To wrap up the four-part series on homework, Morning Edition host Bob Edwards talks with Shirley Igo, national president of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), about the PTA's parent guide to homework.

We sample the mailbag and read from your letters and e-mails... including comments on Chef Bobo's recipes for lunch at The Calhoun School.

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Ivan Watson in northern Iraq about the exodus of Kurds from their homes and villages, in anticipation of an American assault on the forces of Saddam Hussein. Many Kurds are heading to the relative safety of the mountains, fearing that Saddam might respond to a U.S. assault with chemical or biological weapons attacks on Kurdish areas.