US Service Member Killed by Bomb in Afghanistan

  KABUL (AP) - Military officials say a roadside bomb has killed
an American service member in southern Afghanistan, where U.S. and
NATO troops have increased operations in recent months to offset
Taliban violence.
    A military statement says the deadly bomb struck Monday, the
same day a separate bombing in the area killed a British soldier.
Roadside bombs now account for the majority of U.S. and NATO
casualties in what has been the deadliest year of the war for
international forces.
    Gen. Stanley McChrystal has asked for more troops in a blunt
assessment of the deteriorating conflict. His confidential report
is now under review at the White House. But President Barack Obama
says he needs to be convinced that sending more troops would make
Americans safer from al-Qaida.