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Setting the stage for a ground assault on Baghdad, U.S. forces move within 10 miles of the Iraqi capital. Facing only sporadic Iraqi resistance, U.S. Army units approach from the southwest, while Marines advance from the southeast. Calm prevails inside the city as those who remain prepare for attack. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and NPR's Anne Garrels.

NPR's John Burnett is traveling with the U.S. Marines 20 miles south of Baghdad. The closer forces got to the city, the warmer the welcome from civilians, and the less resistance the Marines experienced from Iraqi fighters. There was one scare today, in which a chemical monitor went off and Marines threw on their protective suits, only to find it was a false alarm.

War planners say the ability of Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard to resist the allied ground assault and aerial bombardment will determine the length of the conflict in Iraq. The guard is considered intelligent and adaptive, but some analysts say that without air support, the units are no match for U.S. forces. Hear military analyst Anthony Cordesman.

Humor has always been an important way of easing tensions during times of crisis. NPR's Robert Smith looks at the role of comedy in wartime.

Rescued American POW Pfc. Jessica Lynch is being treated at a military hospital in Germany. The supply clerk was captured when her unit was ambushed in Nasiriyah more than a week ago. The military has not released any information on 11 bodies found when Lynch was rescued. Jeff Young of West Virginia Public Radio reports.

European leaders meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell in Brussels say they're not opposed to sending NATO peacekeeping forces into Iraq. But many European nations still call for the United Nations, not the U.S., to take the lead role in administering post-war Iraq. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

U.S. forces launch a two-pronged attack on Iraqi troops defending Baghdad. Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks says Iraq's elite Republican Guard is "under serious attack" and the "dagger is clearly pointed at the heart of the regime." Southeast of the Iraqi capital, troops capture a key bridge over the Tigris River. Hear NPR's Nick Spicer.

NPR's Michele Norris talks to NPR health correspondent Richard Knox to find out more about SARS. Since the symptoms mimic influenza, many people are worried that their spring allergies and colds might be the start of SARS. Since there are only 70 reported cases of SARS in the United States -- only one of which has been serious -- it's unlikely the public here is at great risk at the moment.

For several years now, historical preservationists have been stepping up efforts to transfer millions of hours of precious, perishable sound recordings to a single, stable format. At the Library of Congress, technicians are working feverishly to convert their huge collection of tapes, CDs, LPs, eight-track tapes and other audio formats to a playback format that will stand the test of time. NPR's Rick Karr reports on an effort some observers call foolish.

Alan Cheuse reviews Property by Valerie Martin. The book takes place on a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana.