31.   Morale appears to be souring among some troops as fighting drags on into its fifth month and casualties mount.

32.   Pakistan says civilian casualties are mounting in Kashmir.

33.   Rebel attacks in Sierra Leone flared again late last year, and Nigerian casualties mounted.

34.   Saddam might escape a sustained bombing campaign, and the United States could face criticism if civilian casualties mounted.

35.   The aim was to prevent guerrilla incursions, but as casualties have mounted, the debate in Israel has grown over the need for controlling the area.

36.   The military operation has become increasingly unpopular in Nigeria as Nigerian casualties have mounted.

37.   The violence threatens settlers and could deepen U.S. involvement in a conflict in which casualties are mounting.

38.   And hospitals still standing in rebel territory are fading away one by one, as casualties mount.

39.   Rescue officials in Manila said they expect the casualties to mount.