Baghdad
Approaches taken
The vanguard of US forces in Iraq is tonight reported to be within 19 miles of southern edge of Baghdad.
Some units are said to have crossed the so-called red line which the US believe could trigger a chemical attack.
Two powerful US columns are said to be approaching the capital from the south and southeast after an aerial bombardment that reportedly battered elite units guarding the city.
Earlier, news agencies reported that the main presidential palace complex in Baghdad was under bombardment after a day of airstrikes on the city
To the east of the city, US marines say they have taken a key bridge over the river Tigris at the city of Kut, 25 miles from the capital.
Up to 15,000 US troops are reported to be massed around the city of Karbala.
US checking Iraq casualty claims
Earlier, the US said it was checking claims by Iraq that more than 30 civilians were killed in a bombing raid.
The French news agency AFP quoted a hospital director as saying that the incident happened in the town of Hilla.
The US military authorities said preliminary findings had established no evidence of the alleged incident.
The commander of British forces in the Gulf, Air Marshal Brian Burridge, has said the war is entering a 'decisive phase', but it could take some time yet before President Saddam Hussein's regime was defeated.
Correspondents have reported that British tanks fired on a building on the edge of the Iraqi city of Basra after a mortar attack on a British military checkpoint.
More explosions were reported in and around Baghdad overnight, a Presidential Palace where President Saddam Hussein's son Qusay has his headquarters being one of the main targets.
B-52 warplanes bombed the Iraqi front line between the town of Dohuk and the city of Mosul in the north of the country.
POW rescued
An American soldier held by Iraqi forces has been rescued in Nasiriyah.
In a brief early morning news conference, Brig.-Gen. Vincent Brooks said the soldier had been returned to a US/UK-controlled area.
The development followed intense speculation that a female prisoner had been freed.
19-year-old Pfc Jessica Lynch, who had previously been listed as missing in action, was rescued from Nasiriyah by US Special Forces.
Unconfirmed reports say she was wounded in the operation, suggesting both her legs and one arm were broken.
Officers said 11 bodies were found during the operation, but had not yet beend identified.
