WORLD REPORT EDITION    IN THE NEWS

  April 11, 2003

The Battle in Baghdad Begins

Last Thursday, after two weeks of bombing Iraq's capital from the skies above, U.S.-led ground troops entered Baghdad. The troops took over its main airport and planned to use it to stage more attacks on Iraq's leaders. Military officials reported that 2,500 Republican Guard soldiers, Iraq's best fighters, had surrendered.

On Friday, Iraqi TV showed tapes of President Saddam Hussein giving a speech and walking in a crowd. In the speech, he talked about events in the war, a clue that Hussein had survived earlier attacks aimed at him and his supporters.

The week's best news was the rescue of Jessica Lynch, 19, a soldier who had been taken prisoner by the Iraqis on March 23. An Iraqi man told U.S. troops where she was hidden and helped them plan a rescue mission.

Lynch had broken bones and a back injury, which she may have suffered in battle. She is expected to make a full recovery. Her family in Palestine, West Virginia, was overjoyed. "I think we've got our girl back," said her father, Greg Lynch Sr.

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