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The defense secretary aimed to show progress in the expanded war against insurgents in south Afghanistan. Now Zad was the scene of first significant military push following President Obama’s announcement in early December that he would add 30,000 troops atop 17,000 reinforcements he had already sent into the flagging war.

UNICEF estimates that more than 20,000 children lost their parents in the Jan. 12 quake and its aftermath. Relatives or neighbors are caring for many of these children. Others, such as a group of boys in a Port-au-Prince park, are fending for themselves.

The defense secretary, making an unannounced visit to the war-torn country, said political corruption undermines “popular confidence in officials and in government itself.”

AP – The U.S. Postal Service is increasing the pressure for dropping Saturday home delivery as it seeks to fend off massive financial losses.

Climate scientists are again on the defensive. The world’s top climate science institution concedes that it published errors in its reports. This follows a dust-up over hacked emails from prominent climate scientists that cast doubt on their objectivity.

Reuters – Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Wednesday his debt-ridden country was asking for political support from the European Union to fend off speculators, not European taxpayers’ money.

Last week, Taliban military commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was captured in a joint raid by the CIA and Pakistani intelligence forces. Journalist Ahmed Rashid explains how Baradar’s recent capture will affect the Taliban’s strategy in the coming months and what the capture means for the new US military offensive in Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan over the weekend, U.S. Marines started an offensive targeting the southern Taliban stronghold of Marjah. The going has been relatively slow because attack routes have been saturated with roadside bombs.

In Afghanistan over the weekend, U.S. Marines started an offensive targeting the southern Taliban stronghold of Marjah. The going has been relatively slow because attack routes have been saturated with roadside bombs.

Thousands of U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers stormed the Taliban stronghold of Marjah before dawn Saturday, sweeping by air and ground against scattered resistance into the biggest southern town under militant control. The massive offensive was aimed at breaking the Taliban grip over a wide area of their southern heartland.