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In Baghdad, overburdened hospitals struggle with the absence of electricity and the lack of drugs and sterilization equipment. In the southern Iraqi city of Basra, British forces begin efforts to restore running water to the city's more than one million residents, and to re-establish law and order on the streets. Hear NPR's Anne Garrels and NPR's Mike Shuster.

The northern city of Mosul falls peacefully as Iraqi defenders withdraw, but a wave of looting follows. Baghdad is in a state of near anarchy. U.S. troops seek to restore order in some spots, but Pentagon officials warn the military won't act as a police force in Iraq. Hear from NPR's Ivan Watson in Mosul and Washington Post reporter Anthony Shadid in Baghdad.

U.S. Marines enter Tikrit, the hometown of Saddam Hussein and last outpost of the Iraqi regime. The Marines face little resistance amid reports that many Iraqi soldiers have fled in recent days. Commanders at the Central Command say defenses in the city are seriously weakened. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

Anti-Americanism is on the rise in Baghdad -- even as a pro-American politician pleads with Iraqis to be patient at the pace of reconstruction. Tension runs high in Mosul where many remain pro-Saddam. And in Kut, Shia Muslims urge Americans not to overstay. Hear reports from NPR's John Burnett, NPR's Ivan Watson and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Legal questions arise as President Bush calls on the U.N. Security Council to lift sanctions imposed years ago against Iraq. Lifting the sanctions could leave the United Nations with less influence in Iraq's rebuilding process. Hear from NPR's Michele Kelemen and Ian Johnstone, assistant professor of International Law at Tufts University.

In a statement read by Iraq's information minister, Saddam Hussein urges the Iraqi people to resist U.S. and British forces. U.S. officials say it is still unclear whether the Iraqi president is still alive, but add that Saddam is "no longer really a factor in this war." Hear NPR News.

The World Health Organization announces that Vietnam is the first country to contain severe acute respiratory syndrome and says the worst of the SARS outbreak is over in Hong Kong, Canada and Singapore. But in China, officials announce several new cases. SARS has killed more than 300 worldwide. Hear NPR's Rob Gifford and Hong Kong doctor Wan Song.

The Bush administration sends Gen. John Abizaid and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz to reassure Congress of progress in Iraq. Their appearance at Capitol Hill comes amidst increasing anxiety by lawmakers over the growing cost of the U.S. occupation in Iraq. NPR's David Welna reports.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has defied a U.N. Security Council call for a freeze on enriching uranium. President Bush greeted the news by saying "the world is united and concerned" about Iran's nuclear activities. The White House says it believes Iran is pursuing the production of nuclear weapons.

John Bolton, President Bush's nominee to be ambassador to the United Nations, pledges to build a more robust world body. He is expected to face tough questioning during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Monday. Democrats hope to block the nomination of the blunt U.N. critic.