Nation, world briefs 3/15/16

Senate OKs King as Education chief

WASHINGTON -- The Senate narrowly voted to confirm John B. King Jr. as the nation's education secretary. The vote was 49-40. King has served as acting secretary at the Education Department since Arne Duncan stepped down in December. President Barack Obama nominated King last month, saying there was "nobody better" to continue leading efforts to work toward preschool for all, preparing children so they are ready for college and careers and making college more affordable. As secretary, King will oversee the department as it puts in place a bipartisan education law passed by Congress and signed by Obama in December. The measure revamps the widely criticized No Child Left Behind Act and substantially limits the federal government's role in public schools.

Marines alter rules on women's uniforms

AUGUSTA, Maine -- The U.S. Marines Corps for the first time is allowing female Marines to wear crew-neck undershirts under their uniforms, a change that makes it easier for women to cover up some tattoos. The Marines made the change Thursday after Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree complained its dress policy unintentionally discriminated against female recruits. Men are allowed to wear crew-neck T-shirts. Last month, the Democrat urged the Marine Corps to amend its rules and accept 20-year-old Kennebunk resident Kate Pimental, who has a tattoo just below her collarbone that says, "Let your smile change the world but never let the world change you." The Marines will not accept recruits with visible tattoos. Pimental said the altered dress code means she now can cover her tattoo and join the Marines.

Another uprising at Alabama prison

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A prisoner stabbed a fellow inmate Monday, and 70 others barricaded themselves in a dorm at a crowded Alabama prison that was the site of weekend uprisings, authorities said. Inmates became aggressive when officers tried to apprehend the stabbing suspect and barricaded themselves inside a dormitory of the William C. Holman Correctional Facility, Alabama Department of Corrections spokesman Bob Horton said in an email. He said officers had secured other sections of the prison. The uprising was the second in three days at the prison, which was still on lockdown after inmates stabbed the prison warden and a corrections officer, lit fires and tried to take over a dormitory Friday.

Putin orders military pullout from Syria

MOSCOW -- President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military to withdraw most of its forces from Syria, timing his move to coincide with the launch of Syria peace talks Monday -- an end game that allows the Russian leader to cash in on his gains and reduce his risks in the conflict. The start of the negotiations in Geneva offers Putin an opportune moment to declare an official end to the 5½-month Russian air campaign that has allowed Syrian President Bashar Assad's army to win back some key ground and strengthen his positions ahead of the talks.

-- From wire reports