The Pentagon will begin allowing media coverage of the return of U.S. war dead beginning next month as long as families of the fallen agree, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said. The Pentagon also announced that it will pay for families of the dead to travel to the Delaware military base where remains arrive from overseas.
President Obama is expected to approve a recommendation for a significant expansion of Afghanistan's security forces, senior administration officials said. The plan awaiting final approval by Obama would set a goal of about 400,000 troops and national police officers, more than twice the forces' current size. Cost projections are put at $10 billion to $20 billion over the next six or seven years.
The United Nations said it is very concerned about the health of John Solecki, a U.S. official working for its refugee agency who was kidnapped Feb. 2 in Pakistan. His captors said he is suffering a cardiac problem.
NEWS SERVICES
