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WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama says he's confident that the decision to allow women to serve in combat will strengthen the military. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lifted the ban on Thursday. About 280,000 women served in Iraq, Afghanistan and neighboring countries in support of the war effort.

WASHINGTON (AP) She has the backing of police chiefs, mayors and crime victims, but Calif. Sen. Diane Feinstein says her gun control legislation faces "an uphill road." The measure would ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. The National Rifle Association says it doubts the legislation will make it out of Congress.

WASHINGTON (AP) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says "cooler heads have prevailed" in the drafting of new rules that modestly curb filibusters. Critics had wanted to make it harder for the minority to sink bills and nominations. Filibusters can be stopped only by the votes of 60 of the 100 senators.

WASHINGTON (AP) Thousands of abortion opponents will stage their annual protest in the nation's capital on Friday. They'll gather at the National Mall for a rally and then hold what's called the March for Life. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973.

WASHINGTON (AP) There could be sweeping changes in school athletics. The U.S. Education Department is telling schools they must include students with disabilities in sports programs or provide equal alternative options. Schools are required to make what the directive calls "reasonable modifications" for students with disabilities or create parallel athletic programs.