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U.S. expedition forces sweep across Kuwait's border into southern Iraq, preparing the battlefield for larger assaults. Airstrikes continue in Baghdad as the U.S. military tries to take out key Iraqi defenses there. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports.

Host Bob Edwards speaks with Mike Martini and Mark Magistrelli, who just finished producing a second CD on the origins of WLW, a radio station and network based in Cincinnati. For 20 years, from 1921-1941, WLW was a network with talent and resources to rival CBS and NBC. During the late 1930's, the station was granted authorization to broadcast at 500,000 watts -- the most ever allowed to an American radio station by the FCC.

NPR's Tom Goldman, Cheryl Corley and David Molpus report from around the country on reaction to President Bush's speech Monday night, and the seemingly imminent war.

If the Iraqi regime is toppled, the United States plans to take control until an interim government emerges. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jay Garner leads the transition effort and will be charged with feeding Iraqis, providing security and locating weapons of mass destruction. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

In the first U.S. combat death, a U.S. Marine is killed in southern Iraq. Earlier, four U.S. Marines and eight British soldiers are killed in the accidental crash of a U.S. helicopter near the Kuwait-Iraq border. Hear NPR's John Burnett.

President Bush gives Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face "the full force and might" of the American military "at a time of our choosing." In a prime-time address to the nation, Mr. Bush says: "The United Nations Security Council has not lived up to its responsibilities. So we will rise to ours." Hear NPR coverage and analysis.

An entire division of 8,000 Iraqi soldiers surrenders in southeastern Iraq, according to the Pentagon. Iraq's 51st mechanized division was the main defender of the key port city of Basra. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.

NPR's regular program schedule was pre-empted by NPR News Special Coverage of the war in Iraq. Audio for the day beginning at noon ET is available at the link below.

Host Bob Edwards speaks with NPR's Alex Chadwick about the leaflets that the U.S. military is distributing around Iraq in hopes of persuading Iraqi troops to surrender.

President Bush meets with the leaders of Britain and Spain Sunday to discuss strategy for an uphill battle to pass a U.N. resolution sanctioning military action against Iraq. The resolution may lack the votes necessary to pass the U.N. Security Council -- and faces veto threats as well. NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports.

Ten years ago, award-winning producer Dave Isay teamed up with LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman to create two gritty, groundbreaking portraits of urban life. Today, Isay presents the story of Yanier "Blak" Moore, a former drug dealer turned author who was first discovered by Jones and Newman during their reporting in the Chicago housing projects.

Anti-war protests are held in many U.S. and world cities. The White House says a weekend summit between President Bush and two key allies seeks a peaceful resolution to the Iraq issue. But senior administration officials tell The Washington Post it's too late for diplomacy. And U.S. bombers take out an Iraqi radar facility. Hear NPR's Tom Gjelten.

SpaceX launched three rich businessmen — American, Canadian and Israeli — and their astronaut escort to the International Space Station for more than a week's stay.

About 300,000 American military personnel are expected to be deployed to the Persian Gulf -- the largest mobilization since Desert Storm. Among those with orders to deploy is one small unit, the Army's 85th Medical Division, with a unique mission: keeping soldiers mentally fit to fight under the stress of combat. NPR's Richard Knox reports from Fort Hood, Texas.

NPR's Ivan Watson reports growing numbers of Kurds are leaving the oil center of Kirkuk. Iraqi security forces there have staged a security clampdown ahead of an anticipated attack by the United States.

Tension in Baghdad increases as the city prepares for a U.S.-led assault to remove Saddam Hussein. Soldiers gather along streets and residents stock up on food and gas. NPR's Anne Garrels reports.

The country's Supreme Court said a move by Prime Minister Imran Khan to dissolve parliament rather than face a no-confidence vote was unconstitutional. What happens next isn't entirely clear.

President Bush makes a surprise announcement aimed at getting Middle East peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians back on track. The move seems designed in part to demonstrate that the administration is not completely distracted by Iraq. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea, NPR's Melissa Block and Henry Siegman of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Host Bob Edwards details a century-old lightbulb that keeps burning and burning. The hand blown bulb is only four watts, but it's been burning in a California fire station since a neighbor donated it around the turn of the century.

Many Europeans are watching with dismay as diplomacy unravels at the United Nations. Robin Cook, a member of the British cabinet, resigned to protest Prime Minister Tony Blair's support for the Bush administration on Iraq. Officials in Germany and France, as well as Russia, continued to stress their commitment to disarming Iraq through peaceful means. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports from London.

Iraq today brushed aside President Bush's planned ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to give up control of the country. The rejection came just hours before Mr. Bush's scheduled televised speech, and just hours after U.N. weapons inspectors were called out of Iraq. NPR's Melissa Block talks with NPR's Anne Garrels in Baghdad about the departure of U.N. weapons inspectors and the mood in the city.

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. And Secretary of State Powell says the "time for diplomacy has passed." Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara and Michele Kelemen.

The Firesign Theatre brings us a surrealistic episode of Bob Hind and his Golden Hind Specialty Cruises, as he welcomes Peggy and Vernon Soccermom from Elmertown, who recently went for a vacation. They recount the authentic Irish experience they had at the oldest pub at the airport.

President Bush addresses the nation this evening on the issue of Iraq. Earlier today the United States, Britain and Spain said they've given up their efforts to obtain another U.N. Security Council resolution to deal with the disarmament of Iraq. Following the announcement, Secretary General Kofi Annan said he has ordered the withdrawal of all U.N. personnel from Iraq to ensure their safety. The United States and Britain are holding France responsible for the failure of diplomacy. NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports.

In the Azores, President Bush wraps up a brief meeting with the leaders of Spain and Britain, calling Monday a "moment of truth for the world." He says he will not pursue a new U.N. resolution on Iraq beyond tomorrow's scheduled meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea and NPR's Vicky O'Hara.