ASEAN Economic Community: Asian leaders launch European Union-style regional economic bloc

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders have signed a declaration for launching ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which would be similar to European Union (EU)-style regional economic bloc. In this regard, Kuala Lumpur declaration on the establishment of the AEC was signed by the leaders of 10-nation grouping chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at its 27th Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

  • It was signed in front of world leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
  • The ASEAN leaders also adopted the declaration on “ASEAN 2025, forging ahead together“.
  • 10 Members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.

7th Central Pay Commission submits report, proposes 23.55% salary hike

7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) headed by Justice AK Mathur has recommended 23.55 percent hike in pay and allowances of government employees. In this regard, the commission has submitted its report to Union Finance Ministry in New Delhi and the recommended pay revision will come into effect from 1 January 2016.

UNHCR to be awarded 2015 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been chosen for the prestigious 2015 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.

About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

  • UNHCR is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
  • Established: December 14, 1950.
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Initially, it was established to help people displaced by World War II. But later it became the principal agency that has helped displaced persons all over the world.
  • Mission: Safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. Seek lasting solutions to the plights of refugees.
  • Awards: It has won two Nobel Peace Prizes, first in 1954 and second in 1981.

Note: In 2014 ISRO Chosen for Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.

Harshavardhan Neotia elected as President of FICCI

Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia group, has been elected president of industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for 2016.

  • Neotia, a ‘Padma Shri’ awardee, is also a member of the Rajasthan Chief Minister’s Advisory Council and West Bengal Chief Minister’s Core Committee on Industry.
  • Currently, he is the senior VP of the industry body. Neotia will take over from the current Ficci President Jyotsna Suri during the chamber’s AGM next month.
  • Jyotsna Suri is chairperson and Managing Director of Bharat Hotels Ltd.

India test-fires supersonic interceptor missile

India test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

Note: The interceptor, known as Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is capable of destroying any incoming ballistic missile.

Indian Junior Hockey team wins 2015 Men’s Junior Asia Hockey Cup

India’s junior men’s hockey team has won the 8th edition of Men’s Junior Asia hockey cup. In the finals played at Kuantan (Malaysia), India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 6-2 goals.

  • For Indian team, Harmanpreet Singh scored highest four goals followed by Armaan Qureshi and Manpreet Singh scoring 1 goal each.
  • South Korea won the bronze medal by defeating Japan in the 8ht Men’s Junior Asia Cup.
  • Eight international teams had participated including India, Malaysia, Japan, China, Korea, Pakistan, Oman and Bangladesh in the 8ht Men’s Junior Asia Cup.

Pankaj Advani wins 2015 IBSF World Snooker Championship

India’s most successful cueist Pankaj Advani added another feather in his cap by winning the IBSF World Snooker Championship after battling past his Chinese opponent Zhua Xintong in the final.

  • With this victory, Pankaj Advani has won the World Snooker Championship for the record 15 times.
  • He also became the first person in the history of Snooker to take the short (6-Red) and the long snooker format in the same calendar year.

Note: Earlier in September 2015, he had won the 2015 IBSF World Billiards Championship. Presently he is ranked world number 1 in 6-red snooker and World Team Billiards.