WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of gay and lesbian rights activists have descended on Washington for the National Equality March. Crowds are demanding President Barack Obama keep his promises to push for civil rights protections from the federal government. The march comes after Obama pledged last night to end the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three influential Republicans are using the Sunday talks to urge President Barack Obama to bolster troop levels in Afghanistan. Sen. John McCain tells CNN it would be "an error of historic proportions" if he decides against a larger U.S. presence there. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham says thousands more forces are needed to bring stability and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate would support a call for more troops.

PARIS (AP) — No charges have been filed against a French physicist who a judicial official says discussed broad plans for terror attacks with a contact in North Africa's al-Qaida branch over the Internet. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says there were no concrete plans mentioned. The 32-year-old was arrested last week while working at the world's largest atom smasher.

INKOM, Idaho (AP) — Idaho police say a 33-year-old woodwind instructor was killed when a bus carrying a Utah high school band crashed last night. More than a dozen students were injured, including two who were rushed by helicopter to a nearby hospital.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zombies have fallen victim to a romantic comedy at the box office. Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau's "Couples Retreat" won the No. 1 slot with a more than $35 million take, knocking the horror comedy "Zombieland" into second place.