* US military says jets, air controllers and unmanned spy planes on 24-hour alert to support American troops in Baghdad

* Bomb hits central Baghdad 100 metres from the Palestine Hotel where journalists covering the war are staying

* TV message from President Saddam urges army, Iraqis to increase resistance, says invaders focus on capital, weaken elsewhere

* US military says aircraft and troops attack holy city of Karbala

* US troops move closer to northern oil city of Mosul after day of airstrikes on Iraqi frontlines

* US senior officials and Iraqi exiles agree that international oil companies should play key role in reviving Iraq’s oil industry

QUOTES

US President George Bush: “Village by village, city by city, liberation is coming...The people of Iraq have my pledge: Our fighting forces will press on until their oppressors are gone and their whole country is free.”

Iraqi Information Minister Sahaf reads President Saddam’s message: “The criminals will be humiliated ... To hurt the enemy more, raise the level of your attacks.”

US Maj-Gen Renuart on US troops entering Baghdad: “This is a clear statement of the ability of our forces to move into Baghdad at times of their choosing. These kinds of operations will continue ... But this fight is far from over.”

CASUALTIES

* US - 75 dead, 8 missing

* Britain - 27 dead

* Iraqi military - US says 320 Iraqi soldiers killed in battle for Baghdad airport. Iraqi authorities give no figures for military losses in war

* Iraqi civilians (Iraqi estimates) - 1,252 killed, 5,103 injured.—Reuters