JIM LEHRER: U.S. forces joined the fighting against Shiite militias in Iraq today. American warplanes and helicopters shelled targets in Baghdad and Basra. Both cities were under curfews.
The strikes backed up Iraqi security forces on the ground who have been battling the militias for four days. Insurgents fired back, striking Baghdad's heavily protected Green Zone with a barrage of mortars and rockets.
In Washington, President Bush called the situation "dangerous and fragile," but said it was all necessary.
GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States: I would just say this is a defining moment in the history of a free Iraq. There have been other defining moments up to now, but this is a defining moment, as well.
This is a test and a moment for the Iraqi government, which strongly has supported Prime Minister Maliki's actions. And it is an interesting moment for the people of Iraq, because in order for this democracy to survive they must have confidence in their government's ability to protect them and to be even-handed.
JIM LEHRER: Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki made another appeal to the militias to hand over their weapons. He extended the deadline, giving them until April 8th.
And speaking in Syria, Iraq's foreign minister said this was a long overdue fight.
HOSHYAR ZEBARI, Iraqi Foreign Minister: This is not a Shia-Shia war. In fact, it's not a war against a political movement, as such. It is a government confrontation with armed groups, with illegal militias who are challenging the authority of the government.
JIM LEHRER: In the latest political developments, the Iraqi parliament convened an emergency session, but the largest Shiite bloc refused to participate. It said the government shouldn't interfere with a law enforcement issue. We'll have more on Iraq right after this news summary.
North Korea conducted a series of short-range missile tests today. South Korean officials and local media reports said they happened off the west coast. A day earlier, South Korea withdrew officials from a joint industrial zone at the North's request. Both South Korea and the United States condemned the launches.
In the U.S. presidential campaign today, Democrat Barack Obama gained a major endorsement in a key state. Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey said Obama could help rebuild America. Most polls show Hillary Clinton ahead in Pennsylvania by double digits. The primary is on April 22nd.
Clinton's fellow Democrat in the Senate, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, today urged her to drop out of the race for the good of the party.
The Commerce Department reported today consumer spending grew at its slowest pace in more than a year. For the month of February, it edged up by 0.1 percent. Removing the effects of inflation, that made spending flat.
The Federal Reserve also announced new plans to help commercial banks. It will auction off another $100 billion in April to help ease the credit crunch.
On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 86 points to close at 12,216. The Nasdaq fell more than 19 points to close at 2,261. For the week, the Dow lost more than 1 percent; the Nasdaq gained 0.1 percent.
