The policy shift follows a study by the Joint Chiefs of Staff that determined the military could become much more aggressive at allowing women into excluded roles.

WSJ: Panetta to Open Combat Roles to Women

The historic policy shift follows a study by the Joint Chiefs of Staff that determined the military could become much more aggressive at allowing women into excluded roles.

WSJ: Panetta to Open Combat Roles to Women

"A lot of fire and rescue authorities are actually making the savings not by cutting fire and rescue posts, not by closing fire stations, but by shared operations, better joint working, and interestingly, amended shift practices, " he said.

BBC: Communities questions

Over the weekend, Volkswagen and its Chinese joint ventures said they would voluntarily recall cars suspected of having substandard direct-shift gearbox systems, though they didn't specify the number.

WSJ: Gearbox Problem Prompts Volkswagen to Recall 384,181 Vehicles Sold in China

In May 2010, Mr Buzek released a joint statement with former Commission president Jacques Delors saying that Europe needed a "shift" in the way in which energy is produced and consumed, and calling for the creation of a "European Energy Community".

BBC: Special committee on Energy