World Briefs: 2 female US Marines get infantry roles

2 female US Marines get infantry roles

WASHINGTON • The United States Marine Corps is assigning two women to front-line infantry roles - one as a machine gunner, the other as a rifleman - a first under new Pentagon rules opening all combat jobs to women by this year.

The Marine Corps, whose request for some exemptions was overruled, said on Tuesday that it had granted requests from two enlisted women to transfer into "ground combat arms specialities", but it added that it may take months to place them in the new roles.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

NZ alert on potential volcanic eruption

WELLINGTON • New Zealand has warned hikers and climbers to steer clear of Mount Ruapehu volcano, whose jagged volcanic rock formations and eerie barren landscapes are featured in The Lord Of The Rings movies.

Volcanologists said yesterday a raised eruption alert level for the mountain in the North Island's Tongariro National Park follows an increase in the output of volcanic gas and the near doubling of the temperature at its crater lake.

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 12, 2016, with the headline World Briefs: 2 female US Marines get infantry roles. Subscribe