Students starting GCSE courses in England this year will be the first to take their exams at the end of two years of study, rather than at various stages over two years.

BBC: Gove challenged over exam changes by watchdog Ofqual

In Denmark, for example, around 9, 000 skilled bricklayers and masons will retire by the end of this decade, but only half that number will finish their apprenticeships and be available to replace them.

ECONOMIST: Bridging Europe’s skills gap | The

And by the end of next year, 2014, the transition will be complete --Afghans will have full responsibility for their security, and this war will come to a responsible end.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama and President Karzai Hold a Press Conference | The White House

He claims that by the end of this parliament more people will be using public transport and leaving their cars at home.

ECONOMIST: Driving Britain off the roads

If this is the case, traders will have even more reason to be bullish in their year-end bets, and defensives could underperform again this year.

FORBES: How Defensive Stocks May Be Less Defensive This Year

But the intention is there, and that is something that will be warmly welcomed by Western countries needing to assure their publics that this is not a war without end.

BBC: Karzai's promise of a 'new season' for Afghanistan

But their journey will come to an end this Monday, Dec. 17th when the two probes will be deliberately crashed into the surface of the Moon.

FORBES: NASA Prepares To Crash Its Probes Into The Moon

This will be another step toward Afghans taking full lead for their security as agreed to by 2014 when the ISAF combat mission will end.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Speaks at ISAF Meeting on Afghanistan