• In what seems a preamble to war, U.S. forces bombed an artillery site and a short-range missile battery in southern Iraq on Wednesday (March 19), according to MSNBC. The installations were reportedly considered a threat to U.S. and British forces amassing in northern Kuwait (along Iraq's southern border). The move would seem to clear the path for coalition forces to move into Iraq from the south.

  • Approximately 15 Iraqi soldiers crossed the southern border of that country and entered into Kuwait to surrender on Wednesday as U.S. troops braced for combat, according to The New York Times. Through pamphlets, radio broadcasts and even an address from President Bush, the U.S. has been encouraging Iraqi troops to surrender instead of engaging in battle with U.S. forces and their allies. The 15 Iraqi soldiers are the first to respond to those calls, and are currently in the custody of Kuwaiti border police, the Times reported.

  • With the 48-hour deadline fast approaching, Saddam Hussein indicated he has no intention of going into exile. He appeared defiantly on Iraqi state television Tuesday, wearing military garb for the first time since the close of the Gulf War in 1991. Meanwhile, citizens of Baghdad were reported to be stocking up on gasoline, bottled water and other supplies in anticipation of the start of war.

  • More than 130,000 U.S. and British ground forces in Kuwait rolled to the border with Iraq in preparation for an invasion. Overhead Air Force C-130 planes transmitted messages encouraging Iraqi soldiers to surrender and promising Shiite Muslims that they will be included in whatever post-war government is formed in Iraq.

  • Police in Britain arrested three men Tuesday night after finding two homemade bombs at an apartment outside London. Police said they had yet to make any connection between the men and any known terrorist organization. Britain remains on high alert for terrorist attacks. 

  • Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle defended a speech he made Monday in which he said he was "saddened that we have to give up one life because this president couldn't create the kind of diplomatic effort that was so critical for our country." Republicans had ridiculed the South Dakota Democrat for not supporting the president during a time of war.

  • Major League Baseball canceled its season-opening series between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland A's due to war concerns. The games were to have been played in Japan.

    —MTV News staff report

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