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U.S. officials say Saddam Hussein's regime appears to have lost hold of Baghdad, but caution there may be additional fighting ahead. From Qatar, U.S. Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks says the situation in Iraq has reached a "tipping point" and that the population is beginning to recognize the Iraqi regime is "coming to an end." Hear NPR's Nick Spicer.

Special forces have been playing a low-key but important part in the war in Iraq. Perhaps the most notable special forces operation was the rescue of Pfc. Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi hospital. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Michael Vickers to learn more about special ops. Vickers is director of Strategic Studies at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. He is a former Special Forces Capt. and CIA operations officer.

Kurdish fighters and U.S. Special Forces take control of a key mountaintop overlooking the Iraqi-held city of Mosul, a senior Kurdish official says. He says it is the most important gain in the region thus far, and has opened the way for troops to enter Mosul. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

Chicago-based alternative country label Bloodshot Records began with a modest ambition: to make good music and maybe sell a few albums along the way. Bloodshot has been issuing recordings since 1994. They recently reached a milestone -- their 100th release. To celebrate, they've compiled a collection of singles and rare recordings titled Making Singles, Drinking Doubles. Meredith Ochs has a review.

Commentator David Ropeik says SARS might not be as much of a health threat as the unbridled fear it's causing among the world's populations.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports on the results of FBI interviews of Iraqis living in the United States. The FBI says the information developed has helped with war planning. Many Iraqi Americans have said they're happy to be interviewed, but some critics say the process creates resentment among immigrants.

NPR's Melissa Block speaks with CNN reporter Diana Muriel in Basra about the problem of keeping the peace there. British forces took the city on Monday, and now residents are angry that forces there have failed to halt widespread looting and lawlessness.

NPR's Anne Garrels reports on the events of the day in the Iraqi capital. U.S. Marines swept into the heart of the city from the east, meeting little resistance as they linked up with Army units that had entered western Baghdad earlier in the week.

The distribution of humanitarian aid is just now getting started in the port town of Umm Qasr, the first Iraqi town taken by U.S. and British forces. The U.S. hope for establishing a provisional civil administration in Iraq is starting there as well. NPR's Mike Shuster has the story.

The Bush administration is warning Syria not to offer a haven to any fleeing members of the Iraqi regime. Speculation that Syria might be the next nation to attract U.S. military attention is debated on Capitol Hill. But the Pentagon and some analysts downplay the possibility. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports.