US troops to remain in Afghanistan into 2016

#ISIS #alqaeda #ustroops #afghanistan #counterterrorism The Obama administration had planned to cut the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan to 5,500 by the end of the year but, this is being reversed so as to appease the military leaders who want to keep more troops into 2016. This has been reported in foxnews.com dated 15 March 2015.
As per the officials, the administration would go slow on the withdrawal of forces and, in all probability, would allow most of the 9,800 American troops to remain there v- a final decision has not yet been made.
Moreover, there are talks also to retain counterterrorism troops into 2015 and keep some in the country or be near Afghanistan in 2016. At present there are nearly 2,000 U.S. troops who conduct counterterrorism missions. The argument of military leaders is that they will be needed to carry on their efforts to pursue the remnants of al-Qaeda and to monitor the Islamic State.
It is a sensitive issue because Pentagon leaders, including Defense Secretary Ash Carter, have acknowledged the discussions about slowing the pace of troop withdrawal. However, they are of the opinion that the military will get its way and keep a robust force in Afghanistan beyond year's end.
In any case, the administration would not like to go beyond 2016 because President Obama had promised to remove all troops out of Afghanistan before the end of his presidency so as to end America’s longest war.
Of course, Afghan leaders have made it clear that they want U.S. troops to be in Afghanistan for as long as possible in view of the concerns raised by the growing threat of ISIS in Afghanistan.

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President Obama has a sore throat – will he wear a mask in India on Republic Day

President Obama had been troubled with symptoms of sore throat over the past couple weeks. Hence, he underwent a routine CT scan while visiting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The examination lasted about 30-minutes according to the White House and his doctor.
The examination has revealed soft tissue swelling in the posterior throat and, hence, a routine CT scan was carried out. The president is a smoker and it seems he has quit the habit with the assistance of nicotine gum.
He is scheduled to visit India to be chief guest at the Republic Day parade and, with the level of pollution being what it is in Delhi, he would have to be extra careful. It would be embarrassing if he has to wear a mask during the R-Day parade.
He is used to the extremely stringent air quality standards in the US and the extent of pollution in Delhi could become a major irritant.
Last year, on 26th January, the visibility at the IGI was zero. Normally, at this time of the year, pollution levels are high. In the past in 2009, 2010 and 2014, there was dense smog. In 2008, 2011 and 2012 it was moderate.
In order to check pollution during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meet in China so that delegates are not uncomfortable, the Chinese government had taken some drastic measures like shutting down industries and taking off many cars off the roads. Both President Obama and President Putin were attending the summit.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to meet President Obama during their US visit

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would meet US President Barack Obama in the White House during their three day visit to the US. Prince William, the second in line to the British throne had first met the president during his visit to London in 2011.
As per the itinerary drawn up, the royal couple would spend a major portion of their time in New York City, their first visit to the Big Apple. However, Prince William would go to ill Washington DC on Monday for an Oval Office meeting with the president where he would also be introduced to Vice-President Joe Biden.
Prince George, the royal couple's 17-month-old son, is not accompanying them and, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting their second child in April, has two events lined up in her schedule while the Duke would be in the nation's capital.
These events are a program for disadvantaged children in New York City where the mayor's wife Chirlane McCray would accompany her. The second program is to attend a lunch hosted by the British consul.
Later, in the evening, the royal couple would go to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers-Brooklyn Nets NBA game. They would also visit the 9/11 museum at the World Trade Center during their trip.
Prince William has a number of engagements pertaining to his campaign against wildlife poaching. He would discuss conservation at a World Bank conference, followed by a working lunch on illegal ivory smuggling.
The Duke and Duchess are also scheduled to attend a reception to celebrate the work of his United For Wildlife coalition of charities.
Their final engagement would be a $10,000-per-seat gala dinner at the city’s Metropolitan Museum of Art in order to raise funds for their Scottish alma mater, St Andrews University, which is celebrating its 600th anniversary.