1.The U.S. Senate has appointed Indian-American physician Dr. Vivek Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General. US Senate voted in favour of him by 51 votes to 43, after more than a year he was nominated by US President Barack Obama.
Dr.Murthy is the youngest person and first person of Indian-origin to hold this post. It should be noted that U.S. surgeon general does not set any government policy but is an advocate for the people’s health.
For this post, Murthy was endorsed by over 100 health organisations, including the American College of Physicians, the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. This post was vacant since 2013 and Boris Lushniak was the acting Surgeon General of US since then.
2.Chinese pro-democracy activist Xu Youyu was awarded Sweden’s Olof Palme Human Rights prize. As per Stockholm-based Olof Palme Memorial Fund, Xu has worked consistently for a democratisation of Chinese society, while condemning any form of violence as a political method.
The Olof Palme Prize is an annual prize granted by the Swedish labour movement. Prize includes monetary sum of $ 75,000.
3.The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has banned Indian boxer Sarita Devi for one year.
She was banned for not accepting her bronze medal at Asian Games medal ceremony. She was also fined 1000 Swiss Franc for the act.
Earlier, AIBA had suspended Sarita from all competitions. In September 2014, during Asian Games she had lost in the semifinals of the women’s lightweight competition at Incheon, South Korea. She had won bronze medal in the semifinal.
4.15 village panchayats of Haryana have been selected for Nirmal Gram Puraskaar-2013. These villages were choosen under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flafship initiative Swachh Bharat Mission.
Gurgaon district alone has 5 villages among the total 15 gram panchayats. These are Bashariya, Dabuda and Dhanawas of Farukhnagar Block and Khanpur and Ransika of Pataudi Block in Gurgaon district.
About Nirmal Gram Puraskaar (NGP)
This award is given by President of India to the heads of panchayats that did well in maintaining hygiene in their respective villages by operating women sanitary complexes well, preventing open area defecation, maintaining school hygiene etc.
It was first given in 2005 as a component of its flagship scheme- Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC).
Till 2011, it was given by Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MoDWS). But since 2012, it was taken up by the States, while selection of the Blocks and District Panchayats continued with the Centre.
Gram Panchayat’s winning NGP usually functions as training centers for people from other panchayat raj institutions aspiring to achieve full sanitation coverage.
5.As per recently released Global Financial Integrity’s (GFI’s) 2014 Annual Global Update on Illicit Financial Flows report has placed India on third rank on black money list.
Key facts of report
This report estimated that nearly $94.76 billion (nearly Rs 6 lakh crore) illicit wealth outflowed in 2012 from India.
In this report, Russia is on the top with USD 122.86 billion, followed by China at the second position (USD 249.57 billion) in terms of the quantum of black money moving out of a country for 2012.
Cumulative illicit outflows from developing economies for ten years between 2003 and 2012 stands at USD 6.6 trillion.
Above three countries are followed by Mexico at the fourth place (USD 59.66 billion) and Malaysia at fifth (USD 48.93 billion).
6.Madhya Pradesh has started the facility of e-registration of property documents in 5 districts. This e-registration aims to curb illegal registration and forgery.
These five districts include Ujjain, Sehore, Tikamgarh, Balaghat and Anuppur.
Under this facility, people can obtain e-stamp through internet banking or service provider. They may also obtain information about market value of their property and registration fees to be payable on its purchase or sale through internet. Besides, information about registry at any place can be obtained through search and a copy of it could be downloaded online.
This initiative will help to enhance transparency and curb delays in property registration. State government is aiming to launch it all the districts of the state from April 2015.
7.Government of India has banned terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). It was announced by the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during the Question Hour in Lok Sabha.
Government has banned ISIS under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. As per Home Ministry this terrorist group is already banned by UN under the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism (Implementation of Security Council Resolutions) Order, 2007 made under section two of the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1947 and amended from time to time.
This announcement comes after Bangalore techie was allegedly found running the pro-Islamic State Twitter account and tweeting in support of the terrorist organisation.
8.Nepal’s Supreme Court (SC) has started e-judiciary services aiming to provide better court services and to ensure easy access to justice.
In this regard, SC has developed three software’s to realize the goals of e-judiciary. The apex court will send SMS to its clients for three main services – registration of a case, final hearing date and status of the case at the bench.
It will be implemented in phases- in first phase it will cover 40 courts and in second phase will cover other remaing 50 courts of Nepal. Introduction of the new system will help court to save time and deliver justice fast.
9.The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) has discovered microbes living 2,400m beneath the seabed off Japan. It was presented at the America Geophysical Union Fall Meeting after the samples were analyzed, which were taken from 2,446m of rock under the seafloor by Chikyu ship.
10.India’s first indigenously developed nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine- INS Arihant was flagged off by the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar from Vizag for sea trials.
In maiden sea trial, Arihant’s light water reactor will undergo comprehensive validation before it is commissioned into the Navy.
Key facts
INS Arihant’s design is based on the Russian Akula-1 class submarine.
It is a 6,000-tonne nuclear powered submarine and 112 metre long.
Powered by 83 MW pressurised light water reactor built with Russia’s help. This reactor generates tremendous heat, driving a steam turbine.
Capable of launching nuclear-capable ballistic missile BO-5 which has a range of 700 kms. It can carry 12 such missiles.
11.Five-time chess world champion Viswanathan Anand has won his maiden 6th London Chess Classic title.
It the fifth and final round he defeated British Grandmaster Michael Adams. In this title Mr. Anand scored seven points in all under the Soccer-like scoring system that gives three points for a win and one for a draw.
London Chess Classic title: It is a chess festival held at the Olympia Conference Centre, West Kensington, London. The flagship event is a strong invitational tournament between some of the world’s top chess grandmasters.
12.The 14th Finance Commission has submitted its report to the President Pranab Mukherjee. The commission is headed by former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Y V Reddy.
Finance Commission in its report has given their views on the devolution of tax receipts from the Centre to the states from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2020. Earlier, the Finance Commission was appointed in January 2013 to give its report by October 31 this year.
But its tenure was extended till December 31 as they had sought two more months’ extension period to examine financial projections and carry out consultations with the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments. It also was asked to look into the Goods and Services Tax.
This report will be a key input in the preparation of the Union Budget 2015-16. However, breaking from tradition, the report is likely to be tabled in the ongoing Winter session of Parliament.
Finance Commission
Finance Commission is constitutional body. Its provisions are mentioned in Article 280 of Constitution. It is constituted by President every fifth year or earlier time as he considers. Finance Commission consists of Chairman and four members appointed by President.
13.Denmark has presented claim to United Nations over the area surrounding the North Pole. As per Denmark, this area is connected to the continental shelf of Greenland is their autonomous territory.
Greenland geographically forms part of North America rather than Europe. But it is largely self-governed, but it remains part of former colonial master Denmark, which controls foreign affairs and defence policy.
14.Rajasthan Government has started distribution of the ‘Bhamashah’ cards among women belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category in Ajmer. The cards were distributed under the Bhamashah scheme which was relaunched in August 2014.
This scheme aims to financially empower BPL women by providing them with monetary benefits of various government schemes, as money will be transferred directly to their bank accounts.
Key facts of Bhamashah scheme
This scheme will provide woman head of the family with a bank account. Monetary benefits from various schemes will be channelized in this account.
Beneficiaries will be provided with a card under this scheme. This card will also be used as an identity card for the people of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan government aims to open around 1.5 crore bank accounts under this scheme.
15.Olympic Champions Germany has won the Champions Trophy Hockey title. It is Germany’s 10th Champions Trophy title. Germany defeated Pakistan by score of 2-0 goal margin in the final match held at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odhisa.
Earlier for the third position India lost to Australia 1-2.
In other classification encounters, the Netherlands defeated Argentina 4-1 in the fifth-sixth place play-off match, while England defeated Belgium 3-2 to finish seventh.
16.Central Information Commission (CIC) has recommended Central government to allow people seeking information under RTI Act to use postal stamps as application fee.
Two Information Commissioners – R K Jain and Raghubir Singh in two separate cases have made a common recommendation to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for implementing postal stamps as a mode of payment of RTI fee thus reducing hassles of applicants.
At present, RTI users now have to pay a fee of Rs 10 either in cash, bank demand draft or Indian Postal Order to get information. By accepting postal stamps for RTI fee recommendation, it may help government to resolve many difficulties in payment.
Besides it may also help in preventing wastage of public money in returning or rejecting the IPOs or spending much larger amounts than Rs 10, for realising Rs 10, and avoidable litigation. Tamil Nadu government already has this provision and allowed payment of RTI fee by affixing court fee stamps.
17.State-run Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has emerged as the country’s biggest company in terms of annual revenue as per an annual list of Fortune 500 companies in India- 2014. IOC topped the list with annual revenue of Rs 4, 75, 867 crore.
IOC was followed by Mukesh Ambani-led private sector giant Reliance Industries at the second place with a revenue of Rs 4, 09, 883 crore.
Top ten companies are
Indian Oil Corp (IOC).
Reliance Industries.
Bharat Petroleum (BP).
Hindustan Petroleum (HP).
State Bank of India (SBI).
Tata Motors.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
Tata Steel.
Essar Oil.
Coal India Limited (CIL).
18.Several scientists from SAARC countries have come together in Andaman and Nicobar Islands capital Port Blair for a workshop that aims to throw light on the impact of climate change on coral reefs and protection of the environment.
Objective: Main objective of the workshop is to build capacity among SAARC countries to understand and conserve this precious eco system.
This five-day workshop has been organized by India’s leading scientific institute National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) for SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre.
Scientists from India, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka will participate and it will conclude on 19th December.
19.Sir Anerood Jugnauth was elected as new Prime Minister (PM) of Mauritius. Mauritius’ President Kailash Purryaghas named him as prime minister after his party’s landslide victory in recent parliamentary elections.
In recent elections, Jugnauth’s centre-right Alliance Lepep won 47 out of 62 seats in the Mauritius’ parliament. While the coalition of the outgoing ruling Labour Party and the former opposition Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) of ex-Prime Minister Paul Berenger won just 13 seats.
This parliamentary election was one of the most crucial since Mauritius’ became independent from Britain in 1968 as there is debate over constitutional reform – notably over a divisive proposal to strengthen presidential powers.
About Sir Anerood Jugnauth
Previously, Mr. Jugnauth was PM of Mauritius between 1982 and 1995 and again between 2000 and 2003. He was President from 2003-2012.
Mauritius- It is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. The capital and largest city is Port Louis. It is one of the richest countries in Africa with a per capita GDP of just over $9,000.
The country in its history after becoming independent from Britain in 1968 had only four prime ministers. Jugnauth and Navinchandra Ramgoolam have alternated posts since 1982, except for a brief gap between 2003 and 2005 when Paul Berenger served as prime minister.
20.Senior IPS officer Dineshwar Sharma was appointed as new Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB). He will succeed Syed Asif Ibrahim. His name was cleared by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
21.Indian-origin British ex-minister Shriti Vadera has been appointed as chairman of Santander UK, thus becoming the first woman to head a major British bank. She will join the board of Santander UK as joint deputy chairman in January 2015 and succeed as chairman in March 2015.
After taking charges as chairman Santander UK, she will also join a very exclusive club of just three Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 firms, listed on the London Stock Exchange with the highest market capitalisation, with women as their chair.
22.The world’s largest cruise ship terminal- Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal was unveiled in Dubai. It was inaugurated by Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai.
This newly opened terminal can handle 14,000 cruise passengers a day, thus making it world’s largest.
23.Indian Railways has extended its e-ticketing facility to differently abled persons in order to provide them with more convenience.
As per railways this e-ticketing facility will be available to those passengers who are differently-abled such as orthopaedically handicapped, hearing and speech impaired persons, mentally challenged or vision challenged.
These passengers will be given photo-identity card through which facilities of e-ticketing can be availed for booking of rail tickets.
24.International India Medical Tourism Congress began in Delhi. It aims to promote country’s medical tourism by creating awareness about it and create international network opportunities.
The medical tourism congress was inaugurated by Tourism Secretary Dr Lalit K Panwar and it will be a two-day event.
In this congress more than 200 delegates from India, Africa, Iran, Dubai, Turkey and Jordan will participate.
25.International India Medical Tourism Congress began in Delhi. It aims to promote country’s medical tourism by creating awareness about it and create international network opportunities.
The medical tourism congress was inaugurated by Tourism Secretary Dr Lalit K Panwar and it will be a two-day event.
In this congress more than 200 delegates from India, Africa, Iran, Dubai, Turkey and Jordan will participate.
26.Punjab’s first Mega International Food Park was inaugurated at Dabwala Kalan, in Fazilka District Punjab under the aegis of Mega Food Park Scheme. It was inaugurated by Union Food Processing Industry Harsimrat Kaur Badal in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal.
27.Bangladesh’s oil spill disaster is considered as ecological catastrophe which may threaten rare dolphins, other wildlife species and world’s largest mangrove forests in the Sundrban’s.
Oil spill disaster: The tanker carrying an estimated 350,000 litres of furnace oil partly sank in the Sundarban’s Shela River after it collided with another vessel.
These oil slicks have spread over a 60 kilometre-long area and have entered into another river as well as a network of canals in the vast Sundarbans delta which comprises a network of rivers and canals straddling Bangladesh and India.
Environmental Impact
This disaster may be considered as an ecological catastrophe and can destroy the delicate ecology of the Sundarbans – a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.
Sundrban has world’s largest mangrove forest which is home to wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python. It is also home to the rare Irrawaddy dolphin.
The oil spills has already blackened the shoreline and started degrading the water quality, threatening trees, plankton, vast populations of small fishes.
Rare Irrawaddy dolphin may be the first victim of this oil spill as the thick layer of oil on the surface of the river may cut down the dissolved oxygen, leading to suffocation of these dolphins due to lack of oxygen.
It may even threaten Sunderban tigers as there feed on herbivores animals like deer and other are going to suffer from oil spill as their vegetation may be covered by a thick layer of oil and rinse into the soil once the water recedes during the tides.
28.Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, launched Arunima Sinha’s book Born Again on the Mountain in New Delhi. Arunima Sinha is the first female amputee and first Indian amputee to climb Mount Everest.
Arunima Sinha’s Everest expedition struggle
In 2009, Arunima was pushed out of a running train by thieves while resisting them. In this accident, one of her legs was amputated below the knee. Prior to this accident she was a national-level volleyball player but this accident cost her sporting career.
During her treatment after the train accident she had resolved to climb Mount Everest after getting inspired from cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s successful fight against cancer.
In 2012, she excelled in the basic mountaineering course with a prosthetic leg from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi.
Finally in April 2013, she successfully climbed on Mount Everest, thus becoming first female amputee and first Indian amputee to climb the peak.
29.Government has given nod for the implementation of ‘Tea Development and Promotion Scheme’ and approved fund of Rs 1,425 crore for outlay of 12th Plan period (2012-17).
It was approved by The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after it was proposed by the Union ministry of commerce & industry.
This scheme aims at
Supporting development of improved varieties and technologies for increasing production, productivity and quality of tea.
Promote Indian tea in the overseas and domestic markets.
As per the scheme, the proposed fund will be spent on plantation development, quality up-gradation and product diversification, market promotion and research and development.
30.21st June will be annually observed as ‘International Day of Yoga’ after United Nations General Assembly (UN-GA) adopted an India-led resolution. UN has adopted this resolution under the agenda of ‘Global Health and Foreign Policy’.
UN recognised that Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and its wider dissemination of information about benefits of practising Yoga will be beneficial for the health of the world population.
Resolution in this regard was introduced by India’s Ambassador to the United Nations Asoke Mukerji and 175 nations as co-sponsors for it. It was the highest number ever for any resolution in the 193-member UN Genral Assembly
Passing of this resolution also made history as it was for the first time that such an initiative has been proposed and implemented by any country in the UN body in less than 90 days.
Background
Earlier in September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed this idea during his speech at UN-GA. He had suggested 21st June because it represents one of the two solstices, is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world.
Significance
The main significance of the UN declaring an International Day is to focus the attention of the international community on the topic and to encourage activities among the member states to commemorate the day.
Till date, UN in its annual calendar has listed nearly 118 international days, years and anniversaries for observance.
31.In Cairo, Egypt, the first Arabic translation of Indian Constitution was launched.
It was launched by Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil El Araby along with Secretary (East) ambassador Anil Wadhwa from the Ministry of External Affairs. The launch was organised in the Secretariat of the League of Arab States by the embassy of India in collaboration with the League of Arab States
32.Cabinet has given nod to an ambitious 25 solar parks of 500MW proposal will help India become a global leader in solar generation. These 25 solar parks will add in total 20,000 megawatts (MW) solar power after implemented.
Government will provide budgetary grant of Rs 4,050 crore to implement it by 2019. These projects will be also provided with statutory and other clearances for speedy completion.
The solar parks will be developed in collaboration with states and their agencies. It will be generally developed in remote areas where land is inexpensive.
Cabinet also has cleared setting up of 300 MW of solar capacity projects in the defence establishments and central police organisations using equipment built by Indian manufacturers.
Amendments to the Electricity Act
The Cabinet has cleared amendments to the Electricity Act to bring in more reforms and increase competition.
These amendments pave the way for the
Much-needed further reforms in the power sector.
Promote competition, efficiency in operations and improvement in quality of supply of electricity in the country, resulting in capacity addition and ultimate benefit to the consumers.
33.An Indian-Jayprakash Panwar has won ICT Mountain Development Award for promoting innovations and good practices for environmental conservation in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.
Jayprakash Panwar along with Avinash Jha and Sibjan Chaulagain of Nepal, Suleman Mazhar of Pakistan and HELVETAS Swiss Inter-cooperation has won this award.
The awards were presented in the presence of Mahabir Pun, a pioneering social entrepreneur and Magsaysay award recipient at Kathmandu. The winners will receive USD 250 along with a certificate of recognition.
34.Government in the Parliament has announced that the attempt suicide will no longer be a crime. In this regard, government has decided to delete Section 309 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) from the Statute book which deals with attempt of suicide as per recommendations of 210th Law Commission report. 18 states and four Union Territories also have backed government on this move.
It was announced by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Current Section 309 of IPC
A person who survives a suicide attempt is punished with a one-year jail term and a fine under a rule in the IPC.
Background
Earlier in August 2014, the process of decriminalizing suicide was undertaken by government and all states were asked to give their opinion, as they have jurisdiction over it (as law and order is a state subject under Schedule VII of Constitution).
Even 210th Law Commission report had mentioned that attempting suicide is the “manifestation of a diseased condition of mind” that needs treatment and care rather than punishment.
In 2012, World Health Organization (WHO) has listed India as one of the countries with the highest suicide rates – 21.1 per 100,000 people.
Now as a result of this decision, an attempt to suicide will not be taken as a criminal offence.
35.Richard Rahul Verma is new US ambassador to India. His nomination was passed by United States senate by a voice vote. He will become the first Indian-American to be the US ambassador to India and is expected to be sworn in shortly.
He will arrive in India ahead of US President Barack Obama visit who is the chief guest on Republic Day i.e. on 26th January 2014.
36.Government has announced that around 4 tonnes of nuclear waste per gigawatt (GW) (1000 MW) is generated annually. This waste is similar to the amount of waste generated internationally by other countries. It was announced by Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh in a written response to a question in Lok Sabha.
Nuclear waste
In India any radioactive waste is disposed by following the Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive) Rules 1987. These rules are promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
Generally, nuclear waste is generated from two kinds of facilities- Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and Spent Fuel Processing Facilities.
However, in India spent fuel is not considered as a waste as it has adopted close fuel cycle option, which involves reprocessing and recycling of the spent fuel. Thus it is not disposed.
In case of Spent fuel generated from NPPs, it is cooled for a minimum period of 5 years before taking it up for reprocessing. During the reporcessing of spent fuel for recovering of valuable elements, the very small quantity of radioactive fission products (waste) is isolated.
This waste is then immobolised in suitable glass matrix in solid state through vitrification and stored in interim storage facility for initial cooling and surveillance. Then it is disposed at a geological disposal facility.
37.Time magazine has named Ebola Fighters as Person of the Year-2014. Time magazine has mentioned that these Ebola Fighters have been named for their tireless acts of courage and mercy for buying the world time to boost its defenses, risking, persisting, sacrificing and saving people from Ebola outbreak which has killed thousands
38.Recently released Country Threat Index (CTI) by US-based intelligence think tank- Intel Center has placed Pakistan eighth in the list of the most dangerous countries in the world.
Top 10 are: Iraq (First), Nigeria (second), Somalia (third), Afghanistan (fourth), Yemen (fifth), Syria (sixth), Libya (seventh), Pakistan (Eight), Egypt (ninth) and Kenya (10th).
Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two South Asian countries in the list. The rankings were prepared based upon CTI after examining the volume of terrorist and rebel alerts, messaging traffic, videos, photos, incidents and the number of killed and injured in a country over the past 30 days.
Intel Center is a Washington-based company working globally for intelligence agencies.
39.The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled against the United States (US) for imposing high duty on imports of certain Indian steel products.
In its ruling the body has mentioned that the high duty imposed by the U.S. on the certain Indian steel imports is ‘inconsistent’ with various provisions of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM). Earlier, US had imposed Countervailing Duty (CVD) measures on India’s hot-rolled carbon steel flat products under various provisions of the ASCM.
Due to this imposed CVD India had had affected India’s trade as 7 steel products out of the current 10 products suffered from inconsistency due imposed CVD.
40.India has started an ambitious project of producing indigenous Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mark-I. Production of MBTs under this project has already started in Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF), Avadi. This factory already has produced and delivered 121 numbers of indigenously designed and developed MBT Arjun Mark-I to Army.
Arjun Mark-I is designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). DRDO has spent Rs.305.60 crore for design and development. Ordnance Factory Board has created different facilities for manufacturing of this tank in its different factories and spent Rs.86.73 crore on it.
41.The trial run of Guwahati-Dhaka bus service was flagged off from the Inter State Bus Terminus in Guwahati. This trail will be monitored by joint team of India and Bangladesh consisting of seven-member Bangladesh delegation including Joint Secretary of Home Affairs and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation. While Indian delegation will include officials from Ministries of Road Transport and Highways, External Affairs, Home Affairs and Finance, along with officials from Assam and Meghalaya.
42.United States (US) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) have ceremonially ended their combat mission in Afghanistan.
This mission comes to an end after 13 years of September 11 terror attacks that sparked their invasion of Afghanistan to topple the Taliban-led Government and fight against terrorism.
NATO formally ended its deployment after its International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, which was in charge of combat operations, lowered its flag. This ceremony was the first of two that will draw a formal close to NATO’s combat mission by December 28, 2014.
Future plans of US and NATO
Now US and NATO coalition will only provide training and support role for Afghanistan’s own security forces, which have led the fight against the Taliban insurgents since mid-2013.
From January 1, the coalition will maintain a force of 13,000 troops in Afghanistan. In 2011, there were around 140,000 coalition troops.
Up to 10,800 US troops will remain in Afghanistan for the first three months of 2015.
By the end of 2015, US will reduce it troop to 5,500. Entire US troop will be called back by 2016.