The final countdown - 9

US forces 'capture' Baghdad airport
"'It's going to take some time to secure the airport, although we haven't encountered much opposition,'" said Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Quarles."

Labour plans 'islands' in land reclamation project
"A new Labour government would be using construction waste for land reclamation projects, increasing the... land size with new 'islands' which it would be able to put to use."

Zammit Dimech challenges MLP to explain financing
"Alfred Sant should explain how he intended to finance all the projects Labour was promising should it be elected to government, Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said."

AD for sustainable tourism
"Addressing a press conference in Vittoriosa, near the Cottonera waterfront project (Alternattiva Demokratika) described the project as a clear example of unsustainable tourism."

Only promise what you can deliver, Zarb tells parties
"Speaking in a meeting between Alternattiva Demokratika and the (General Workers' Union), (Tony) Zarb warned that after the election, whichever party is elected to power, the GWU would be insisting that the government will fulfil its promises."

Dalli sees higher taxation, uncertainty, if Labour is elected
"Finance Minister John Dalli warned... that if the Labour Party won the next election the financial deficit would explode to the level it had reached in 1998 and the Labour government would burden the people with a substantial amount of new taxes."

Sant turns down offer to debate PM on radio
"Public Broadcasting Services and RTK said Alfred Sant had turned down an invitation to take part in a debate with the Prime Minister that was planned to be aired."

Mintoff hits out at The Times
"Dom Mintoff... accused The Times of always being 'in the pay of the foreigner'. That is why we could not keep our people from trying to break down The Times. We did not send them but we could not stop them," Mr Mintoff said to loud applause from those gathered in Floriana for his... meeting of Front Maltin Inqumu."

Sant appeals for calm
"Alfred Sant... appealed for calm... before, during and after the election."

Victory should not be taken for granted - PM
"Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami... warned Nationalist Party supporters not to take victory in the election for granted and urged them to try and convince more people to vote for the PN."

Bush says 'vice' closing on Saddam
"With US troops knocking at Baghdad's door, President George W. Bush said... 'a vice is closing' and nothing would divert the mission to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein."