Mali troops 'take northern town'

26 January 2013 Last updated at 02:38 ET

Malian and French troops have retaken the town of Hombori, officials say, as they continue their campaign to regain control of northern Mali from rebels.

Hombori lies about 160km (100 miles) from the Islamist stronghold of Gao.

Earlier, French warplanes reportedly bombed rebel positions, fuel stores and ammunition dumps near Gao.

But there were also reports that rebels had blown up a bridge linking the east of the country with Niger, from where African troops plan to open a front.

The bridge is situated in the town of Tassiga, which lies on the quickest route from Niger to Gao, and spans a canyon.

However, Ibrahim Ag Idbaltanate, a former deputy in Mali's parliament, said the bridge was not the only way to cross the canyon.

Continue reading the main story

Mark Doyle BBC News, Sevare

---

We drove through the town of Sevare, a place I'd only seen on maps and which I had described in my reports as "strategically important".

At first, I thought guiltily that I had been exaggerating. Severe looked like any other African town - markets, metalworkers on the roadside, mobile phone shops everywhere.

Then the sound of a military helicopter shattered the normality.

It flew overhead and crossed the road in front of me flying so low it almost skimmed the treetops.

"You can make a detour of three to six miles (5-10km) and find another way to continue on the Niger-Gao road," he said, quoted by AP news agency.

Forces from Niger and Chad had been expected to use the road to join the advance against the rebels.

Several African countries have pledged military aid to help the Malian government win back control of the north.

On Friday the African Union asked the UN Security Council to authorise immediate logistical help to allow the 6,000-strong force to deploy quickly.

It also recommended civilian observers to monitor the human rights situation in the areas which have come back under the control of the Malian government. Human rights groups have accused the Malian army of committing serious abuses.

International build-up

Islamists seized a vast area of northern Mali last year and have imposed strict Sharia, or Islamic law, on its inhabitants. France intervened militarily on 11 January to stop them advancing further south.

The UN refugee agency says more than 7,000 civilians have fled to neighbouring countries since 10 January to escape the fighting.

As fighting continued on Friday, French TV carried grainy images of air strikes which the military said had been carried out near the city of Gao.

Malian and Nigerien security sources also reported the strikes, saying two Islamist bases with fuel stocks and weapon dumps near Gao had been destroyed.

French and Malian troops also staged joint patrols for the first time, in the town of Douentza west of Gao, the AFP news agency said, quoting Malian sources.

The BBC's Mark Doyle in Mali says a big international troop build-up is continuing ahead of a probable French-led air and ground offensive on Gao and other desert cities.

There are currently about 2,000 French troops in Mali.

An armed column of Chadian soldiers is making its way to Mali overland and more than 1,000 Nigerian soldiers are expected there too.

The UK defence ministry said on Friday it was deploying its Sentinel R1 spy plane to support French troops in Mali.

The hi-tech plane - which has radar equipment that can scan thousands of square miles in minutes - flew missions over Libya in 2011 as rebels fought to oust Col Gaddafi.

In Egypt, President Mohammed Morsi unveiled a proposal for a peaceful resolution to the Mali conflict.

The five-point plan includes political negotiations, economic and development initiatives and co-ordinated relief efforts. Mr Morsi has spoken against military intervention in Mali.

Earlier, the US military commander in Africa said the Pentagon had made mistakes when training Malian troops in recent years.

Gen Carter Ham of United States Africa Command (Africom) said its forces had failed to teach "values, ethics and a military ethos".

He was speaking after reports of abuses by Mali government troops taking part in the counter-offensive.

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Gunman dies as public stop robbery

26 January 2013 Last updated at 05:18 ET

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Ladbrokes are assisting the police with their inquiries

A masked gunman has died after being pinned down and restrained by customers during an armed robbery at a bookmakers in Plymouth.

The man, in his 50s, entered the Ladbrokes branch in Crownhill Road at 18:45 GMT on Friday wearing a gas mask and holding a pistol.

Police arrested the man, who was already unconscious, but he died a short time later at the scene.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating.

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Chief Insp Ian Drummond-Smith: "We have recovered a firearm of sorts"

'Immediately tackled'

The man has been identified but next of kin have not yet been informed, a spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said.

The spokesman said when the man entered the shop, he was "immediately tackled" by customers and "held down still wearing his gas mask".

Ch Insp Ian Drummond-Smith said: "Customers and staff tackled the man, overpowered him, disarmed him and restrained him and when police officers arrived they found him being restrained but noted that he was unresponsive and wasn't breathing."

He said the police and ambulance service attempted to resuscitate him but he was declared dead about 20 minutes later at the scene.

Ch Insp Drummond-Smith added: "We have recovered a firearm of sorts, it hasn't been fully examined yet so I'm unable to confirm whether its a replica or a genuine firearm.

"This is a very serious incident. We cannot speculate on what has actually taken place here today."

A spokesman for Ladbrokes said they were assisting police.

Witness David Marfleet said: "As I drove past you could see that Ladbrokes was absolutely full of policeman at that time.

"[There were] easily 10 police cars and then two riot vans and then the ambulance that turned up on site as well.

"We don't normally have any trouble around here, it's quite a surprise it being such a nice quiet area."

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Call for UK to allow women in combat

26 January 2013 Last updated at 05:38 ET

The UK should consider following the US and allow women to serve in combat roles, says a woman who became one of the most senior female army officers.

Brigadier Nicky Moffat, who retired in December, said it was wrong to dismiss people just on gender.

Major Judith Webb, who became the first woman to command an all-male field squadron disagrees.

She said resources would be wasted trying to train women up to a standard they were unlikely to reach.

On Thursday US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta lifted the military's ban on women serving in combat roles, potentially opening frontline positions to women.

Brig Moffat told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Ultimately the responsibility for the operational effectiveness of the army and for the lives of the soldiers that are deployed lies with ministers and with the heads of the services and they must make that judgement."

But she said that judgement should be made on the basis of "capability" and she was "deeply uncomfortable" with the idea of excluding a whole group of potentially capable soldiers, just because of gender.

She said "It is not just about physical strength. It's about endurance, it's about ability to operate within a team, it's about a range of skills.

"But we shouldn't dismiss the point about strength. The infantry combat fitness test is extraordinarily demanding and individuals are required to carry herculean amounts of kit.

"But if we look at the achievements of our women Olympians I don't think any reasonable person could say that there aren't some women who could meet those standards."

Brig Moffat said the British Army was in a difficult position because it worked closely with the US and the Canadian army, which has already allowed women into combat roles.

But Maj Webb previously told Today: "By opening it up to women are women shooting themselves in the foot? Because they are not going to meet those standards.

"Two women who made it through marine training in the US didn't qualify."

'Wasting resources'

She said: "So what are we achieving by trying to open it up to women, except wasting a huge amount of resources by trying to train women up to a level I don't think they are going to meet."

No women are deployed in the infantry where the primary role is to "close with and kill" the enemy - to engage in hand-to-hand combat.

But they do perform support roles, such as medical duties and at any one time about 500 to 600 women are in theatre in Afghanistan.

The armed forces are exempt from the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act "for the purpose of ensuring the combat effectiveness".

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The vast majority of roles in the armed forces are open to women and hundreds are currently serving their country with distinction in Afghanistan.

"Women are fundamental to the operational effectiveness of the UK's Armed Forces, bringing talent and skills across the board.

"The MoD 2010 review into women serving in combat roles concluded there should be no change to the existing policy. There are no plans to review this policy before the end of operations in Afghanistan."

In the US President Barack Obama welcomed the "historic step" and a senior defence official said about 237,000 jobs would be newly open to women "who can meet the standards".

The decision was also welcomed by Congressman Tammy Duckworth, a former helicopter pilot who lost both legs in Iraq.

She wrote in the Chicago Tribune: "It's time we stop being surprised that America's daughters are just as capable of defending this nation as her sons."

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Azarenka defends Australian title

Victoria Azarenka retained her Australian Open title and kept hold of the world number one spot with victory over Li Na in the Melbourne final.

The Belarusian, 23, came back from a set down to win 4-6 6-4 6-3 on a cool and blustery evening on Rod Laver Arena.

In a scrappy match, Azarenka proved the stronger in the closing stages after Li rolled her ankle twice and hit her head in two heavy falls.

Match stats

Azarenka		Li
1	Aces	4
78%	1st serves	65%
4	Double faults	5
18	Winners	36
28	Errors	57
54%	1st serve win %	48%
38%	2nd serve win %	42%
54%	Receiving pts won	49%
9/12	Break points	7/18

The victory brought Azarenka her second Grand Slam title after last year's win at Melbourne Park, and ensured she will not be overtaken by Serena Williams in the next world rankings.

"I will always keep a very special memory of this court and you will be in my heart forever," Azarenka told the crowd in her post-match on-court interview.

However, it was Li who carried most of the support throughout the final, due in part to Azarenka's controversial medical timeout in her semi-final against Sloane Stephens .

Azarenka had been accused of gamesmanship, despite later insisting the timeout had been necessary because of breathing difficulties.

Either way, the negative attention she garnered in the build-up to the final only added to the support for the already popular Li.

The Chinese player had marginally the better of a desperately scrappy first set of 32 errors and 16 winners between the pair.

Li was much the more effective on the return and after recovering from 5-2 down to 5-4, Azarenka double-faulted on set point, summing up her evening to that point.

A few calls from the boisterous Australia Day crowd probably did not help, although at times it appeared that Li was as distracted by her own vociferous supporters.

Azarenka made a strong start to the second set with a double break as Li's famously unreliable radar went haywire, but the sixth seed was battling back when at 3-2 down when she suffered a fall.

Analysis

"Victoria Azarenka is a warrior. It has been very rough for her, but it has been a tremendous effort tonight. It has been very gutsy. It has not been the best quality match, but it was enthralling."

She hobbled back to the chair and took a medical timeout of her own to get her left ankle taped, leaving Azarenka to don her tracksuit top and practise a few serves.

It looked as though the timeout had worked against Azarenka this time when Li came out firing with five points in a row, but the top seed clung on from 0-40 to stay ahead.

Li then offered up four errors in a row to give Azarenka the break at 5-4, and she closed out the set to force a decider.

After breaks were swapped at the start, Li looked to be regaining some sort of control at 2-1 up only to be interrupted for nine minutes by the annual Australia Day fireworks display.

Disaster struck on the resumption, when Li crashed to the ground during the first point and rolled the same ankle, before cracking her head on the court as she fell.

The sixth seed looked dazed, although she did manage a thin smile when her face appeared on the big screen, but she needed another timeout, and again Azarenka went through an unexpected practice routine.

Li resumed firing forehands but Azarenka held on to her serve at 2-2 and then got the decisive break in game five, hanging on to it when Li squandered a break point at 4-3 down.

After struggling to hold on to her serve in the early stages, Azarenka was now attacking her opponent's with similar gusto.

The world number one avoided having to serve out when Li floated a forehand long on championship point, the Belarusian dropping her racquet and burying her face in her hands in celebration.

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Detective shot 'without warning'

26 January 2013 Last updated at 06:47 ET

Irish police have said a detective shot dead in an attempted robbery near Dundalk in County Louth was killed without warning.

Det Garda Adrian Donohoe, was shot at the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan at about 21:30 GMT on Friday.

Irish police said he did not produce his weapon before he was shot.

The 41-year-old was one of two detectives on escort duty when an attempted robbery took place.

His colleague, Det Joe Ryan, has been severely traumatised but is otherwise unhurt.

Police are looking for four men in a dark-coloured Volkswagen Passat.

The area has been sealed off while police attempt to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the Police Service of Northern Ireland has been informed.

Det Garda Donohue is the first member of the force to be shot dead on duty since the murder of Det Garda Jerry McCabe in 1996.

He was also shot dead on escort duty outside a post office in Adare, County Limerick.

Irish President Michael D Higgins said all Irish people "will be truly appalled" by this "dreadful crime".

Ireland's Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said people had respect for those working in the Irish police force.

"They will share my revulsion and horror that a garda (Irish police officer) has so tragically lost his life in the course of his duties."

Stormont Justice Minister David Ford said he and Mr Shatter had reinforced their commitment to work together against criminal gangs.

"I condemn this brutal murder of Garda Donohoe and offer my deepest sympathies to his family and fellow Garda officers," he said.

"Anyone with information should pass it to the appropriate authorities so these dangerous people can be brought before the courts."

The Garda Representative Association President John Parker said it was in "deep shock" following the killing.

"This dreadful news is what every police family fears," he said.

"At this time the wider garda family will be doing everything possible to support the late garda's relatives and loved ones, friends and colleagues."

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Fans verdicts spark Egypt unrest

26 January 2013 Last updated at 07:07 ET

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Supporters of the victims celebrated the verdict in Cairo

At least 16 people have died in the Egyptian city of Port Said, in clashes sparked by the sentencing to death of 21 local people over football riots.

Supporters of the defendants tried to storm the prison holding them and attacked police stations.

The 21 were sentenced over riots which killed 74 people after a football game at Port Said stadium last February.

Saturday's violence follows a day of unrest on the second anniversary of the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak.

Thousands of people took to the streets on Friday to voice their opposition to Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, accusing him of betraying the revolution.

Continue reading the main story

• 74 people killed in Port Said stadium on 2 February 2012
• Clashes broke out between rival fans of clubs al-Masry and al-Ahly
• Fans flooded on to pitch attacking Ahly players and fans as match ended
• Most died of concussion, cuts and suffocation
• The largest death toll in Egypt's football history

At least seven people were killed and more than 450 wounded in unrest across Egypt.

All 21 defendants sentenced to death on Saturday were fans of Port Said club al-Masry. When the verdicts were announced by a judge in the Cairo court, relatives of victims cheered.

However, the ruling caused supporters of the defendants to go on a rampage in Port Said, Two police officers were shot dead outside the city's prison.

At least another 14 people were killed and about 200 were wounded in clashes, officials said. Army units were deployed on the city's streets following the violence.

Last year's football riots led to the suspension of the league.

They began minutes after the game, when al-Masry fans invaded the pitch, hurling stones and fireworks at visiting supporters from Cairo club al-Ahly.

A section of al-Ahly supporters, known as the "ultras", played a prominent role in the protests against ex-President Mubarak.

Some accused supporters of the toppled leader of instigating the Port Said violence. They also accused police of doing little to prevent the violence.

Seventy-three people, including nine policemen, were tried over the stadium clashes. None are al-Ahly fans.

The judge said he would announce verdicts for the remaining defendants on 9 March.

Economic 'collapse'

Friday saw a big anti-government rally in Cairo's Tahrir Square, with opposition supporters clashing with police.

There was also unrest in 12 out of 27 of Egypt's provinces. At least six of the deaths occurred in Suez.

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Families of those give death sentences were seen weeping and fleeing tear gas outside Port Said jail

In Ismailia, protesters set fire to the headquarters of the Freedom and Justice Party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood. The city's governorate headquarters was later also stormed.

The liberal opposition accuses Mr Morsi of being autocratic and driving through a new constitution that does not protect adequately freedom of expression or religion.

The government is also being blamed for a deepening economic crisis.

One of the demonstrators at Cairo's Tahrir Square, Momen Asour, said he had come to demand an end to President Morsi's rule.

"We have not seen anything, Neither freedom, nor social justice, or any solution to unemployment, or any investment," he said. "On the contrary, the economy has collapsed."

President Morsi and his allies have dismissed the claim, saying they have a democratic mandate following recent elections. The constitution, drawn up by an Islamist-dominated body, was approved by a referendum last month.

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Flood fears as snow turns to rain

26 January 2013 Last updated at 07:17 ET

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'Carnage' on the M6 overnight

There is concern flooding is on the way, with forecasters predicting the recent snow will make way for heavy rain and milder temperatures.

Overnight snow across parts of the UK caused travel disruption with motorists on the M6 forced to abandon their cars, before traffic moved freely again on Saturday morning.

Snow grounded planes at Leeds Bradford Airport but it has now re-opened.

There has been flooding in Wales, and there are five flood warnings in place.

Temperatures are expected to reach an average 4C on Saturday, while the Met Office has issued a yellow warning - meaning be aware - of rain in Northern Ireland.

As well as five flood warnings for south-west England and Wales, the Environment Agency has 80 flood alerts in place.

In Northumberland, 33cm (12in) of snow fell overnight at the Met Office weather station at Redesdale - the most recorded this year.

'Stay in your car'

During the night, the Highways Agency closed the M6 motorway in both directions between junctions 25 and 27 near Wigan, after cars and lorries became stuck in the snow.

A shelter was set up at Charnock Services - close to junction 28 - for motorists forced to leave their vehicles in poor driving conditions and freezing temperatures.

David Morris, the Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, was stuck on the M6 near Wigan for more than three hours.

He told the BBC: "The gritters were out doing their job, everybody's been doing all they can do to help.

"It's a surreal scene to be had. We've even been having snowball fights on the M6."

Another driver, who was stuck near junction 25 on the M6 for three hours, Neil Turner, said "it was horrible".

Continue reading the main story

"Start Quote

The snowfall was very sudden and very heavy - over a foot in some places - causing cars to become stranded"

End Quote Highways Agency

"It was very cold, everyone was chatting, trying to keep warm. There was just no movement," he said.

Lancashire Police also worked with Lancashire Mountain Rescue teams, the Highways Agency and Greater Manchester Police to clear roads and provide help to those who were stranded.

The Highway Agency worked throughout the night to clear the routes with snow ploughs.

A spokesman said: "The snowfall was very sudden and very heavy - over a foot in some places - causing cars to become stranded," he said.

"But we have managed to get through the traffic and clear most routes to get people moving again.

"We are urging those who have abandoned their cars to collect them. All we can do is move them to the side for now, but it makes it difficult to clear routes.

"With the rain falling and ice melting onto very cold road surfaces, we are now warning drivers of the danger of ice."

The M56 was also affected by closures due to the snow.

Cumbria has also been badly affected by snow, where police say many minor roads are impassable.

Continue reading the main story

Latest local information from the BBC

In south-west Wales, flooding has already caused problems - particularly in Whitland in Carmarthenshire and Narberth, Haverfordwest, and St David's in Pembrokeshire.

Mid and West Wales Fire Service said it had received more than 270 calls on Friday evening, with "quite a large number of flooding incidents" across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen and Swansea, including incidents of properties flooding and people becoming trapped in their cars.

Local councils have been asked to assist with sandbags and unblocking drains.

In Narberth, Pembrokeshire, residents are reported to be battling to keep water out of their homes, and roads in the area are flooded.

Local councillor Wyn Evans told the BBC melting snow and torrential rain had caused "severe flooding and destruction" in the area.

"Even our police station has been flooded this evening and that's never ever happened before, so all our police officers had to relocate elsewhere," he said.

'Some delays'

All flights were suspended at Leeds Bradford International Airport on Friday night as further snow hit most of the Yorkshire area.

The airport has now reopened, although passengers are being warned to expect delays and disruption.

BBC weather forecaster Peter Sloss said snow already affecting much of northern England and the Midlands had extended to high ground in south-east England and East Anglia during the night.

He said while heavy rain was affecting south Wales and south-west England, drier conditions in Northern Ireland and much of Scotland would extend to most places on Saturday.

It would be a bright, fine day with "more sunshine than we have seen in some time".

Looking forward, he said wet and windy weather would affect much of the country on Saturday night.

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'Giant' Irish turbines to power UK

24 January 2013 Last updated at 01:01 ET By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent, BBC News

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Peter Harte from Element Power explains why the 'bog' turbines will be taller

UK and Irish ministers will today sign an agreement that could see some of the world's largest wind turbines built across the Irish midlands.

Stretching more than 600 feet (180 metres) in the air, the towers are set to generate energy for millions of UK homes from 2017.

The companies involved say the Irish power is a cheaper form of renewable than UK offshore wind.

But environmentalists have described the scheme as "crazy".

They say it risks damaging Ireland's landscape.

Under the plan, a number of companies are seeking to erect hundreds of wind turbines across the boggy midlands of Ireland. The power generated would be transferred to the UK via undersea cables that would join the grid at two points in Wales.

Continue reading the main story

There is no money staying in Ireland that I can see. But from the British perspective it is a good deal"

End Quote Richard Tol University of Sussex

One of the developers, Element Power, says the plan would save UK consumers around £7bn over 15 years compared to other renewable sources.

The developers also say that thousands of jobs will be created in Ireland and the economy as a whole will benefit.

But concerns are now growing that the turbines needed to provide the power will be of a size and scale not seen in Britain or Ireland before.

Because the bog lands are relatively windless, the company behind the scheme says they will need to stretch high into the sky to catch sufficient wind to generate power.

"They will be spread around 40 clusters in five counties," said Element Power's Peter Harte.

"We felt it was better to built slightly larger turbines but fewer of them and that's the best way to minimise the impact on the local area."

But opponents say that local people have not been consulted and few actually realise just what an impact the turbines will have on the landscape.

"People don't actually understand the scale of them," said Andrew Duncan, an auctioneer and spokesman for the Lakelands Wind Information group, who are opposed to the plan.

"Putting up the largest turbines in the world without consultation - I think it is ludicrous, to be honest."

Exploiting Ireland

Mr Duncan says that he believes that political opposition to wind energy in the UK is the real reason behind the plan.

"It seems to be an Irish solution to a British problem - politically they don't want turbines on the British countryside, they are under a lot of pressure from the general public over there and it seems they want to impose these wind farms on the Irish general public instead," he said.

Once the memorandum of understanding has been signed there will a further year of review before a potential treaty between the UK and the Irish Republic is signed.

Irish energy minister Pat Rabbitte said that the process was in its infancy and no decisions had been made about how the energy for export would be generated.

"I think there is a mutual interest here for both countries, he told BBC News, adding: "Ireland doesn't want a wind farm at every cross roads; we don't want that."

Richard Tol, professor of economics at University of Sussex, said he felt that the whole scheme was "crazy" and would not work in the long term .

"From an Irish perspective this is not selling the family silver; this is giving it away. There is no money staying in Ireland that I can see.

"But from the British perspective it is a good deal," he said.

Follow Matt on twitter.

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US to end ban on women in combat

24 January 2013 Last updated at 05:00 ET

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Kayla Williams, former US soldier: "This is just formalising the ground reality"

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has decided to lift the military's ban on women serving in combat, a senior Pentagon official has said.

The move could open hundreds of thousands of frontline positions and elite commando jobs to women.

It overturns a 1994 rule prohibiting women from being assigned to small ground-combat units.

But the military would have until 2016 to argue for any specific posts they think should remained closed to women.

The decision is expected to be formally announced on Thursday.

'21st-Century reality'

Continue reading the main story

"Start Quote

Thirty years of studies, reports and actual experience... have shown that in the infantry women do not have an equal opportunity to survive or to help fellow soldiers to survive"

End Quote Elaine Donnelly US Centre for Military Readiness

The senior defence official told the BBC: "This policy change will initiate a process whereby the services will develop plans to implement this decision, which was made by the secretary of defence upon the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

Military chiefs will be asked to report back to Mr Panetta by 15 May on their initial plans to implement the new policy.

Some jobs are expected to be opened to women this year, while others - including for special forces such as the Navy Seals and the Delta Force - could take longer.

This decision could open more than 230,000 combat roles to women, many in infantry units.

Senate armed services committee chairman Carl Levin welcomed the decision.

"I support it," he said. "It reflects the reality of 21st-Century military operations."

That was echoed by Major Mary Jennings Hegar, who served on three tours of Afghanistan with the US Air Force.

"It's not about whether or not we're allowing women into combat - women are in combat - it's about recognising their service," she told the BBC's Newsday programme.

Continue reading the main story

Women in combat

• Women have played a role in war throughout history, often in support or medical roles, but have typically been excluded from combat roles
• From the 1970s, most Western armies began to admit women to serve active duty
• A few nations allow women to fill active combat roles, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, Germany, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Sweden - and Japan and Switzerland, which theoretically allow women in combat positions but have not engaged in combat in recent history
• But even these countries usually keep some roles off-limits for women

"I understand that stereotypically there are some physical differences but... there are a lot of men doing these jobs who are not built like Goliath. It's unfortunate that we have to hold women to a higher standard.

"If you're able to meet the standards, then your gender should not hold you back. It's simple black and white discrimination."

'Enormous complications'

But Elaine Donnelly from the US Centre for Military Readiness told Newsday that the move was "most unfortunate".

"It's certainly not going to be helpful to our women in the military, or our men. It will cause enormous complications in the infantry battalions - the small tip-of-the-spear units, the ones that fight the enemy with deliberate offensive action under fire. These units are all-male for very good reasons.

"The UK looked at this same issue some years ago and decided this was not a good idea, in 2002 and 2008.

"Thirty years of studies, reports and actual experience... have shown that in direct ground combat units - the infantry - women do not have an equal opportunity to survive or to help fellow soldiers to survive. The physical aspects of it are only part of the reason."

Restrictions were first eased a year ago, when the Pentagon opened up 14,500 roles, closer to the front line, which had previously been off limits to female personnel.

In November, a group of four women in the military sued the defence department over the ban, arguing that it was unconstitutional.

One of the plaintiffs, Marine Corps Capt Zoe Bedell, said existing rules had blocked her advancement in the Marines.

During the Iraq and Afghan wars, US female military personnel have worked as medics, military police and intelligence officers, sometimes attached but not formally assigned to front-line units.

As of 2012, more than 800 women were wounded in those wars, and at least 130 have died.

Women comprise 14% of America's 1.4 million active military personnel.

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PM's EU plan 'implausible' - Clegg

24 January 2013 Last updated at 06:14 ET

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Nick Clegg, speaking on LBC 97.3 said he didn't understand the point of "tying yourself up in knots"

Nick Clegg has said the UK risks "tying itself in knots" and neglecting more important issues by trying to renegotiate its EU membership.

The Lib Dem leader said it was "wholly implausible" to think the rules could be rewritten to "benefit us and disadvantage everybody else" .

He said the aims of David Cameron's proposed renegotiation were "vague" and uncertainty could hit growth and jobs.

The prime minister has insisted the UK "is not turning its back on Europe".

David Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU, although the pledge would be dependent on him being prime minister after the next election, expected in 2015.

'Political purposes'

The move has been welcomed by most Conservative MPs but both Labour and the Lib Dems have said they do not support such an in/out referendum, arguing that uncertainty about Britain's future would undermine the UK's economic prospects.

Speaking on his weekly phone-in on LBC radio, Mr Clegg said Mr Cameron was "entitled" to set out what he would do in a future Conservative government and made clear he had been given advance notice of the PM's referendum commitment.

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David Cameron: 'The club we belong to is changing'

He said he did "not fear" the principle of a referendum and that his party had supported legislation guaranteeing that the public would be consulted before any further powers were transferred to Brussels.

But he said he disagreed with the timing of Mr Cameron's announcement, which he said was a distraction from more urgent issues, and which he believed had more to do with the prime minister's "own political purposes" than the country's wider interest.

"Where David Cameron and I part company is I simply don't understand the point of spending years and years tying yourself up in knots first renegotiating the terms of Britain's membership in ways that at the moment are completely vague.

"I think that discourages investment and inhibits jobs and growth which has to remain our absolute priority."

There were two likely outcomes from the process that Mr Cameron had set in train, he suggested.

"Either it is basically a bit symbolic - so you tweak the working time directive and a social law here or an environmental law there that everybody will agree with so, in which case, what is the fuss all about?

"Or you are going to do something which I think is wholly implausible which is basically totally rewrite the rules to benefit us and disadvantage everybody else which is clearly not going to be agreed to."

'Engine for growth'

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Cameron said the EU was losing out to other growing economies and the union must be reformed so it was "an engine for growth, not a source of costs for business and complaints for our citizens".

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David Cameron has never enjoyed headlines this good...but for how long?"

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"This is not about turning our backs on Europe - quite the opposite. It is about how we make the case for case for a more competitive, open and flexible Europe and how we secure the UK's place in it."

Although Mr Cameron talked about returning powers from Brussels to national governments in areas such as the environment and social affairs, he has yet to give any specific details.

Senior Conservatives have suggested details of how the party would try to renegotiate looser ties with the EU and in what areas would be included in its election manifesto.

Labour has warned that the prospect of a referendum could send out the wrong signal to business.

"We have traditionally said 'come to Britain because it is a favourable climate and you will have access to his huge market'," said former Labour Europe minister Peter Hain. "Now we are on a road which could lead us out of Europe and out of that market and that is a decision which is going to affect investment."

A group of 55 British business leaders have written an open letter to the Times endorsing the PM's approach, saying their firms are being held back by too much regulation coming from Brussels and it is time to "push for a more competitive, flexible and prosperous European Union that would bring more jobs and growth for all member states".

However, other executives have warned that doubts about Britain's future in the EU could push up borrowing costs for companies and impact on growth and job creation.

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