American journalist Peter Arnett, covering the war from Baghdad, has told state-run Iraqi TV the US-led coalition’s first war plan had failed because of Iraqi resistance and said strategists are “trying to write another war plan”.

Iraq today claimed to have shot down two Apache helicopters and said it was holding the two Allied pilots prisoner.

US-led coalition forces are making “rapid and in some cases dramatic” progress in Iraq but have also met sporadic resistance, US General Tommy Franks said today.

Saddam Hussein was inside the compound destroyed by cruise missiles in the attempted “decapitation strike”, US intelligence officials believe.

War started in Iraq early today with a bold attempt to assassinate Saddam Hussein with cruise missiles and precision guided bombs.

Tariq Aziz has appeared on Iraqi TV today to prove he had not defected.

Saddam Hussein has appeared on Iraqi TV in military uniform after rejecting the US ultimatum to go into exile or face war.

Last night’s attacks on war-torn and impoverished Afghanistan have drawn a mixed reaction from governments across the world.

Britain tonight submitted its United States-backed proposal for easing Iraq sanctions to the United Nations Security Council.