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Melissa Block talks to University of Virginia law professor Anne Coughlin about the announcement expected Thursday from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta about the removal of the ban on women in combat. Coughlin and her students did the research which inspired a lawsuit filed by two women in the Army Reserves last year, alleging that policies banning women from ground combat units violated constitutional rights.

A panel reviewing sexual offenses in India has submitted its report to the government almost a month after the rape and murder of a female student in New Delhi. The report says India systemically discriminates against women, and does little to respond to violence against them.

Some dogs need to be on specialized diets for health reasons, but most eat just about anything. That wasn't always the case, however. The domestic dog's ancestor, the wolf, ate only meat. Research suggests for dogs to live with humans, they had to adapt to a starchy diet.

The Pentagon is expected to officially announce Thursday that it will lift the military ban on women in combat. The defense chief's groundbreaking move opens up thousands of front-line positions for women. For more on the Pentagon's decision Steve Inskeep talks to NPR's Tom Bowman. And from Kentucky, Blake Farmer of member station WPLN has reaction from Fort Campbell.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made the historic announcement Thursday afternoon. The reality, though, is that women in the U.S. military have been in harm's way in recent years. Women veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan can speak to that. Still, the lifting of the ban will open up jobs.

There were 330,000 first-time claims for benefits last week, down 5,000 from the week before. That means applications remain at the lowest level since January 2008.

VIDEO: See the secretary of state's sharp words for Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., after he accuses the Obama administration of misleading the nation about who was behind last September's attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya.

While many of us have long suspected that eating frequent, small and tasty meals prevents overindulging, a new study of French men indicates that it just might be true. So cut that breakfast croissant into fourths and eat it slowly.

As flood waters rose, a crocodile farmer was forced to open his gates. The crocodiles grabbed the chance to make a break. More than half remain at large. Hunters are having the most success capturing them at night, when their eyes sign red.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is lifting a long-standing ban on women serving in combat. To break down what it means, host Michel Martin speaks with Politico's Tim Mak, who covers defense and national security.