WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says military leaders are ashamed about the military's failure to stop sexual assaults in the ranks. Obama says there's no silver bullet to solve the problem. He says it will take a sustained effort, but he wants to leave no stone unturned.

Obama says victims shouldn't face stigma or fear of retaliation. He says the sexual assault problem makes the military less effective. Obama spoke after meeting Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other military leaders. They met at the White House to address a militarywide problem brought to light by a recent string of misconduct cases and a Pentagon report showing that as many as 26,000 military members may have been sexually assaulted last year.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's top military officer is warning that women in uniform are losing confidence that sexual assault in the armed services is a problem that can be solved.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, calls that lack of confidence "a crisis."

Allegations of sexual assault in the military have triggered anger, from local commanders to Capitol Hill and the Oval Office.

Yet there seem to be few clear solutions beyond improved training and possible adjustments in how the military prosecutes such crimes. Changing the culture of a male-dominated, change-resistant military that for years has tolerated sexism and sexist behavior is proving to be a challenging task.

New sexual assault allegations emerged this week, involving an Army soldier who was assigned to prevent such crimes.

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans are looking at a student loan system that would give students lower interest rates in coming years but would cost students more over time.

Members of the Republican-led House Education and Workforce Committee plan to finish work on a bill that would keep interest rates from doubling on new subsidized Stafford loans on July 1. The GOP measure provides lower rates immediately and for the next few years, but the plan also comes with potentially higher costs for some students beyond that.

Democrats plan unified opposition.

Under the GOP proposal set for discussion Thursday, student loan rates would be reset every year and based on 10-year Treasury notes, plus an added percentage. It offers a good deal now, but quickly balloons.