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The war in Iraq is expanding today as more than 60,000 US and British troops have invaded southern Iraq. The invasion began as artillery batteries bombarded enemy positions and Tomahawk cruise missiles blasted Baghdad. US officials have described Iraq's military response as modest and uncoordinated. Apparently because of this, the Pentagon launched a limited ground attack ahead of schedule but did not accelerate its much-heralded aerial blitzkrieg. Instead, US and British forces launched another round of limited air attacks on Baghdad and then began the ground advance into Iraq led by the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and various British units. CNN's Walt Rogers is with American seventh cavalry in the Iraqi desert heading towards Baghdad and he described the scene as the force set out. AUDIO REPORT
The coalition sustained its first casualties as the invasion began. All 16 members of the US and British forces on board a US Marine helicopter that crashed in Kuwait are believed dead. However the cause of that crash has not been established. So far there have been no reports of Iraqi chemical or biological attacks although Iraq fired at least 10 ineffectual missiles into [illegible]. Earlier today BBC Correspondent Ben Brown speaking from British army [illegible] headquarters in Northern Kuwait described the first attacks. PKGE
In Kuwait city air raid sirens have gone off seven times since the attack on Iraq was launched, as Baghdad retaliated with its own missiles. Some have been intercepted by US fire - others have landed harmlessly in the desert or in the sea. John Lawson is a New Zealander living in Kuwait - he says each time the sirens sounded while he was at work he and his colleagues headed for the office safe room. PREREC
Joining me now is our Washington correspondent Steve Mort. LIVE
BUSINESS with SHARON BRETT-KELLY
A study has found that in one year, 39 GPs performed euthanasia or helped a patient commit suicide. The research carried out in 2000, asked doctors about the last patient death they were involved with in the preceding 12 months. More than 12-hundred doctors responded to the anonymous postal survey. Researcher and pyschology lecturer Dr Kay Mitchell says GPs were asked "was death caused [illegible] a drug prescribed, supplied or administered with the explicit purpose of hastening the end of life or enabling the patient to end their own life". Dr Mitchell says she's not surprised that 39 doctors said yes. PREREC
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In the second day of the US led war against Iraq, more than 60,000 US and British troops have invaded southern Iraq, supported by artillery batteries, and armoured columns of tanks. And the first American and British casualties have been reported after a US helicopter crashed in Kuwait killing sixteen in what's believed to be an accident. Baghdad has been under heavy aerial bombardment from cruise missiles aimed at the city centre and key presidential sites. Some of the country's oil wells have been set on fire, and there are reports of huge explosions in southern Basra. Our correspondent Simon Marks is in Jordan and he joins me now. LIVE
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the nation its forces are fighting Iraq from air, land and sea, in a televised address signalling an acceleration of the war. Mr Blair's pre-recorded statement was his first public words on the Iraq campaign. Our correspondent at Westminster Des Fahey says it was another attempt to rally the public. PREREC
Electricity prices are continuing to rise, and business are continuing to cut production as a result. Prices are now averaging around 37 cents a kilowatt hour, compared with ten cents a month ago. Eric Frykberg reports. PKGE
More severe water restrictions have been placed on 30 thousand Kapiti Coasters living between Waikanae and Raumati South. Restrictions had already been imposed by the Kapiti Coast District Council, but consumption has been above the council's resource consent for drawing water from the Waikanae River. The Regional Council has stepped in and issued a water shortage direction, restricting the use of water to drinking, food preparation, hygiene and firefighting. The move also allows instant fines of $500 for people flouting the rules. I asked the District Council's water engineer, Chris Trattles exactly what the new restrictions mean. PREREC
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