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1.ISRO has announced to provide navigational support to Indian Railways through GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system. The navigational support along with space technology-based tools will be provided to Indian Railways for unmanned level crossings safety. By using GAGAN software system, a train will get to know the location of any unmanned level crossing by a warning signal. Once this warning signal is given, the train’s hooter will automatically start when it comes near an unmanned crossing. About GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) GAGAN was jointly developed by the ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the advancement of air navigation. It is an indigenous navigational guide system developed on the lines of GPS system of the US. Presently, GAGAN signal is broadcasted through two Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites-GSAT8 and GSAT10. The system was launched in 2011 as a payload with GSAT-8. With this launch India had joined the club elite nations comprising of US, Europe and Japan who have the same level of space-based augmentation for navigational purpose.

2. Britain’s longest-serving Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz, has been re-elected as Chairman of Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) in House of Commons of UK Parliament. He was re-elected as Chairman of HASC for third time by receiving 412 votes compared to 192 votes secured by his opponent Labour Party MP Fiona MacTaggart. For the first time he was elected as Chairman of HASC in July 2007.

3. The world’s first electric passenger aircraft named BX1E was manufactured in China. The aircraft was designed by Shenyang Aerospace University and Liaoning General Aviation Academy located in the northeastern Liaoning Province of China.

4. HDFC Bank, India’s second-largest private sector lender has launched a 10-second paperless instant loan Scheme for its existing customers. The 10-second loan Scheme was launched as part of HDFC Bank’s digital banking platform GoDigital. With this, HDFC bank became first banking institution to completely automate the entire process of loan approval and disbursement. Under this scheme, bank will now disburse personal loans to its customers in just 10 seconds and a pre-approved loan amount will be available to them 24×7. The entire process of availing the loan under this scheme will be completely paperless. In this case, its customers by using net-banking or mobile banking avail of this loan. Earlier, the bank had launched PayZapp application to cater to e-commerce space under its digital platform. It should be noted that, in financial year 2014-15, 63 per cent of HDFC Bank’s all transactions were conducted through various digital channels.

5. Translated Chinese version of Bhagavad Gita, a sacred ancient Indian scripture was released in China. This is the first a well-known Hindu ancient religious text was published in China. The book was released by Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha during an international yoga conference.

6. Recently published study in the journal Nature has revealed that Moon is engulfed in a permanent but lopsided dust cloud made up of tiny dust grains. The study team was led by Professor Mihaly Horanyi of University of Colorado Boulder physics. Key fact The dust cloud was discovered by using data from NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE).

7. Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI) has launched ASCIonline, a mobile application in a bid to address misleading advertisements. The application will provide consumers/users platform to report complaint services for misleading advertisements on a mobile apart from ASCI’s online complaint facility. It is India’s first consumer complaint mobile app. The mobile app is available free of cost on playstore (for android devices) and istore (for apple devices).

8. Union Government has launched NOWCAST weather alert system and Crop Insurance web portal for the benefit of farmers. The new initiatives were launched by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh at a function held in New Delhi. NOWCAST weather alert system will provide free SMS service alerts on extreme weather conditions (ex-hailstorm) to over one crore registered farmers on their mobile phones. The free SMS alerts will be sent in Hindi, English and regional languages as per farmers’ request. It will be issued to farmers whose mobile phones are already registered on the government’s mKisan portal. The data for NOWCAST service will be taken from India Meteorological Department’s (IMD’s) 146 weather stations. Apart from these stations, 17 doppler radars of IMD will also provide information in this SMS service. Under this initiative, the extreme weather data originated from IMD will be updated on mKisan portal using a web service. Later, from mKisan portal the warnings regarding extreme weather conditions will be automatically transmitted by SMS to farmers located at district and block level. Insurance Web-Portal (www.farmer.gov.in/insurance) will be used to create awareness and encourage farmers to insure their crops by taking advantage of existing three schemes. They are Modified National Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Weather based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS). Besides these schemes, Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) is also applicable in some parts of the country.

9. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for inclusion of Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand under the National Dairy Plan- I (NDP-I). Decision in this regard was taken CCEA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Apart from this decision CCEA also extended the implementation period to achieve key outputs NDP-I upto 2018-19. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were included in NDP-I because it has substantial milch animal population and primarily inhabited by tribal population. While, Uttarakhand was included under NDP-I considering its potential for implementation of Fodder Development and Village Based Milk Procurement System, Ration Balancing Programme. The implementation period of NDP-I was extended due late approval of NDP-I and the time taken in initiating the implementation of sub projects at End Implementing Agencies (EIAs) level. About National Dairy Plan- I National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) had approved NDP-I in 14 milk potential through the EIAs. It was formulated with a total outlay of 2242 crore rupees for a period of 6 years from 2011-12 to 2016-17. At present NDP I is being implemented in 15 States which account for more than 90 per cent of the country’s total milk production and 98 per cent of the country’s fodder resources. They also account for over 87 per cent of the breedable cattle and buffalo population. 15 states are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

10. Punjab state is celebrating the 350th years of foundation of holy city Sri Anandpur Sahib.The holy city Sri Anandpur Sahib was founded in 1665 by the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth Guru of Sikhs. Later in 1699, Khalsa Panth was created here by the Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh.

11. India has been ranked third in Anti-Doping Rule Violations Report for year 2013 released by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). As per the report 91 athletes from Indian have been tested positive for banned substances in year 2013. Of these 91 Indians athletes, 20 were women athletes.

12. As per recently released Global Peace Index (GPI) for year 2015, India was placed at 143th rank out 162 countries. The report was published by Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). India’s rank has remained same compared to previous year global rankings. Key facts from Global Peace Index 2015 Top 10 peaceful countries: Iceland (1st), Denmark (2nd), Austria (3rd), New Zealand (4th), Switzerland (5th), Finland (6th), Canada (7th), Japan (8th), Australia (9th) and Czech Republic (10th). Top 10 least peaceful countries: North Korea (153rd), Pakistan (154th), Congo (155), Sudan (156), Somalia (157), Central Africa (158th), South Sudan (159th), Afghanistan (160th), Iraq (161st) and Syria (162nd). India’s neighbours: Bhutan (18th), Nepal (62nd), Bangladesh (84th), Sri Lanka (114th), Pakistan (154th). In 2014, the violent events had cost $14.3 trillion from the global economy. It accounted for 13.4% of global GDP. About 50 million people i.e. 0.75% of the current world population are displaced. In 2014, deaths from terrorism were reported in 69 countries reported. It was up from 60 in 2013 highlighting the increasing use of terror tactics. In case of India, violence has cost it $341.7 billion i.e. 4.7% of its GDP in 2014 which is the fourth highest cost in the world. About Global Peace Index (GPI) It is an annual report published by the Sydney (Australia) based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) since 2007. GPI uses 22 indicators to measure levels of world peace. Indicators range from a nation’s level of military expenditure to its relations with neighboring nations and the percentage of prison population in 162 countries. It also includes safety and security in society, extent of domestic and international conflict. The IEP is an international and independent think tank dedicated to draw the world’s attention towards peace as a positive, achievable, and tangible measure of human well-being and development.

13. Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved introduction of Bureau of Indian Standards Bill, 2015 in coming session of Parliament. The new bill seeks to replace the existing Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 1986 with an aim to bring in more products under the mandatory standard regime and end the inspector raj.

14. Manipur State Forest Department has decided to translocate a section of critically endangered species of Brow Antlered (Sangai) deer with an aim to save it from extinction. The deer is endemic to Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) will be translocated to Pumlen Pat which is close existing habitat to Loktak.Pumlen Pat was chosen for translocation as it is also a floating biomass (phumdi) and comprises of small hillocks which will provide natural habitat for this deer species. About Sangai deer Sangai Deer (Rucervus eldii) also called the Dancing Deer is the state animal of Manipur. Once it was found across the Manipur Valley in abundant now only its remaining natural habitat is found in Keibul Lamjao National Park. It is listed as an endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation efforts have helped in reviving the population of the deer to 204 in 2013 from less than 100 in 2008. About Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) KLNP is a floating biomass in Manipur’s Loktak Lake. It is only floating national park in the world. It is known around the world for its unique composition which is made up of biomass vegetation (locally called phumdis) that floats on the surface of the lake. The park which was initially declared as a Sanctuary in 1966 and later in 1977 it was declared as National Park through a gazette notification.

15. apan has passed a law lower the voting age to 18 years from its current 20 years. The bill in this regard to revise the public office election law was passed by the upper house after being approved in the lower chamber. With passing of this law, 2.4 million of its population from 18 and 19-year-olds age group will extend the franchise in future elections. This move also has brought Japan in line with other developed countries in terms of voting age. Last time, Japan had lowered the voting age from 25 to 20 years in 1945 after its surrender in World War II.

16. Asia Pacific region has overtaken Europe as the world’s second richest region for the first time in terms of global wealth management. It was revealed in recently released report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management consulting firm. Key highlights of report Asia Pacific region (excluding Japan) has held around 47 trillion dollars in private wealth in 2014. The main reason for the growth in wealth in this region was due to increase in number of new millionaires in China and India. North America region has remained as the world’s richest region with 51 trillion dollars. Asia Pacific region is going to surpass North America region in 2016 as world’s richest region with forecasted wealth to reach $57 trillion in 2016 compared to $56 trillion of North America. It is also projected that Asia Pacific region will hold 34 per cent of global wealth in 2019. Forecasted average growth rate of private wealth is expected to be around 6 percent per year. It is going to reach $222 trillion in 2019. In 2014 the private financial wealth globally has grown by nearly 12 percent to $164 trillion. Nearly three-quarters i.e. 73 percent or $13 trillion of private wealth growth was achieved through the growth of existing assets. While remainder 27 percent of wealth growth or $5 trillion was generated by newly created wealth.

17. Union Cabinet approved increasing India’s solar power capacity target under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) to 1 Lakh Mega Watt (MW) by 2022. Decision to increase solar power capacity by five times form current capacity was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. 1 Lakh Mega Watt (MW) target principally will comprise of 40,000 MW from Rooftop and 60,000 MW through Large and Medium Scale Grid Connected Solar Power Projects. After meeting this ambitious target, India will become one of the largest Green Energy producers in the world by surpassing several developed countries. Apart from this decision, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved setting up of over 2,000 MW of Grid-Connected Solar Power Projects on BOOT (build, own, operate, transfer) basis. It will be set up by Solar Power Developers with Viability Gap Funding under JNNSM with total investments of 12,000 crore rupees. These projects will help in generation of additional 2000 MW capacity of Grid-connected solar power projects and create employment of about 12,000 people in rural and urban areas. It will also help to reduce about 3.41 Million Tonnes (MT) of carbon emissions into the open environment every year.

18. Kirk Kerkorian billionaire Las Vegas mogul and casino tycoon passed away after a brief illness. He was 98. Kirk Kerkorian was born on 6 June 1917 as Kerkor Kerkorian in California, US to Armenian immigrants. Apart from being casino tycoon he was Hollywood tycoon and had diversified investments in airlines and auto industry.

19. Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended recognition of the PA Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP) which was a recognized state party in Meghalaya. The recognition of NPP was suspended under para 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 after the party failed to file the election expenditure statement incurred in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. ECI decision in this regard comes in line with Supreme Court’s judgement in the case of Common Cause Vs Union of India and others. In this judgement SC had made compulsion for all political parties to file their election expenditure statement within 75 days of assembly elections and 90 days of Lok Sabha elections. In case of NPP, they failed report their election expenses even after ECI had slapped two show cause notices in this regard. With this, NPP became first party to be suspended under Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order 1968, for its failure to follow the lawful directions of the ECI. About National People’s Party (NPP) NPP was founded in January 2013 by P A Sangma, nine-time Member of Parliament from Meghalaya. Election symbol of party was Book. It is a national-level tribalcentric political party. It had most of its influence concentrated in the state of Meghalaya. At present NPP has one Lok Sabha member- PA Sangma from Tura constituency from Meghalaya. It also has 4 members in Rajasthan Legislative assembly and 2 in Meghalaya Legislative assembly.

20. State owned telecommunications giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced to set up 40,000 Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) hot spots across the country. This project will come in lines with new digital architecture which is part of Union Government’s flagship Digital India Programme. The 40,000 wi-fi hot spots project will be entailed with an investment of about 6,000 crore rupees. The project is likely to be completed by 2018. It was announced by Union Minister of Communications & IT Ravi Shankar Prasad after launching the Wi-Fi facility at Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. BSNL has installed the Wi-Fi facility at the premises of Taj Mahal as part of the Union Government’s plan to provide free internet services at major tourist places across country. BSNL has introduced this Wi-fi facility with support of Quadgen, a Bengaluru-based company. The service will freely available to everyone including tourist for half-an-hour. After half-an-hour the Wi-fi services will cost 30 rupees an hour.

21. Sunil Chhetri has become the first Indian footballer to score 50 international goals. He achieved this feat in his 87th match i.e. during 2018 World Cup qualifying match between India and Guam. However, India lost this match to Guam by 1-2 goals. It was India’s second successive defeat in the preliminary joint qualification second round. Earlier India had lost the heir first match against Oman. Top three Indian goal scorer footballers are Sunil Chhetri: He had scored 50 goals in 87 matches. At present, he is captain of Indian Football team. Bhaichung Bhutia: He had scored 42 goals in 107 matches. He is former captain of Indian Football team. IM Vijayan: He had 40 goals from 79 matches. Sunil Chhetri was born 3 August 1984 in Secunderabad district of Telangana. Currently, he plays as a striker for Bengaluru FC in the I-League. He had started his professional career in 2002 with Mohun Bagan FC.

22. Researchers have created the world’s thinnest light bulb using graphene as filament. It was created by team of scientist led by Young Duck Kim comprising members from Columbia University School of Engineering, Seoul National University and Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science. Features of Bulb The bulb uses graphene, a perfectly crystalline form of carbon as a filament. The filament is attached to metal electrodes and suspended the strips above the substrate. After current is passed through filament it heats up to over 2,500° C and produces exceptionally bright light. Applications: The new type of thinnest bulb can be used as broadband light emitter. It can also be integrated into chips which will pave the way towards the realisation of atomically flexible, thin and transparent displays. It will also help to boost graphene-based on-chip high speed optical communications.

23. United States (US) has announced to curb and eliminate majority of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) commonly called trans-fats from the country’s food supply by 2018. This decision of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comes after intensive lobbying by health advocates and scientists that artificial oils raise the risk of heart diseases by clogging arteries. In this regard, US FDA has revoked the status of PHOs as a food additive from current status of safe food product. Henceforth food manufacturers in US will be no longer be able to use the PHOs in food without prior approval of FDA. Implication The new policy will help to prevent at least 20,000 coronary heart attacks each year and 7,000 deaths from coronary heart disease in US. It will also serve as lessons for the regulation on trans-fat use in foods in developing countries such as India where heart related diseases are on rise. Background In United States the popularity of trans fats had soared in the 1940s. Since then it had emerged as a key ingredient in major food products as it was cheap to produce with a long shelf life. In 2006, the FDA had mandatorily insisted all food manufacturing firms to include trans fat content information on labels of each product. In November 2013, FDA had recognised trans fats as a threat to public health. WHO also consider trans fats as toxic for consumption at certain levels.

24. India’s greatest contemporary architect Charles Correa passed away in Mumbai following a brief illness. He was 84. He had played a pivotal role in the creation of architecture for post-Independence India. He was known for his sensitivity to the needs of the urban poor and use of traditional methods and materials for construction. About Charles Correa

25. A comprehensive book in Dogri language on the Dogri literature of 20th century entitled ‘Beehmi Sadi Da Dogri Da Gadya Sahitya : Ik Jayzaa ’ was released in Jammu and Kashmir. The book has been written by a noted Dogri language scholar Dr. Vijay Seth. The book based on extensive research work and incorporates five chapters chronologically covering the development of essays, literary sketches, travelogue, memoirs, biographic and autobiographical literature in Dogri. In this book the author has elaborated basic elements of various forms of Dogri prose and also has incorporated critical analysis of each form of Dogri prose taken up in the book. About Dogri language Dogri is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in India and Pakistan. In India, it is chiefly spoken in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and northern Punjab. It is one of 22 official languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of Constitution. It was inserted in this schedule by 92nd Constitutional amendment Act, 2003 along with Maithili, Santali and Bodo. Dogri speakers are called Dogras and the Dogri-speaking region is called Duggar.

26. Tokyo based online recipe network Cookpad has acquired Cucumbertown, a Bengaluru-based social network for cooks and chefs for an undisclosed amount. After this acquisition Cucumbertown will remain independent subsidiary under Cookpad.

27. Union Government has announced an additional package of 2,437 crore rupees for reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It was announced by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi. The fund will be used for relief and rehabilitation work. Around 75,000 kacha and pakka houses will also be rebuilt under the grant which were damaged in 2014 floods.

28. Bangladesh Supreme Court’s appellate bench upheld the death sentence of war criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid. Decision in this regard was taken by 4-member bench headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha. The court has found Mujahid guilty of systematically killing intellectuals in the end of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. He is the third Jamaat leader to appeal in appealed in Bangladesh Supreme Court, but court ruled against them and upheld their death sentences. Two other Jamaat leaders are Quader Mollah and Kamaruzzaman. They were executed in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Background During the liberation war Mujahid was leader of the infamous Al-Badr, a militia group that was raised by Pakistan to crush the Bangladeshi independence struggle movement during the Liberation War. Earlier in 2013, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) had sentenced him to death for his war crimes such as genocide, conspiracy in killing intellectuals, torture and abduction.

29. United Kingdom (UK) celebrated 800 years of signing of Magna Carta on 15 June 2015. The celebrations to observe signing of 8 century year old historic document which had laid foundation for modern democratic society was led by Queen Elizabeth II. UK Prime Minister David Cameron was also had joined the queen to mark the celebrations. About Magna Carta Magna Carta is a Latin word which in English means Great Charter. It is most important document of England signed on 15 June 1215 at Runnymede alongside the River Thames in the English county of Surrey.

30. Mogens Lykketoft from Denmark was unanimously elected as President of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He was only the nominee put forward by the Western Europe and other group (WEOG). Mogens Lykketoft succeeds Uganda’s Sam Kutesa who was President of 69th session of UNGA. He will preside over the 193-member UNGA in its upcoming 70th session for one-year term. Presently, Lykketoft is President (speaker) of Denmark’s Parliament since 2011. Earlier he had served as Cabinet Minister in Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen led government and had held portfolios such as Finance Minister (1993 to 2000) and Foreign Minister (2000 to 2001). About UNGA President President of UNGA presides over the sessions of the General Assembly which is starts begins every year in September. The President is elected annually on rotational basis between the five geographic groups namely African, Asian, Eastern European, Latin American and Caribbean and Western European and other States Interesting fact: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was first and only Indian to serve as President of UNGA in 1953. She was also the first woman President of UNGA.

31. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) have inked a Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) for the regulation of passenger, personnel and cargo vehicular traffic for the economic benefit of the entire region. On behalf of India, the agreement was signed by Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari in Thimpu, Bhutan. Key Facts about BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) BBIN MVA agreement which is similar to the SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) aims to promote safe, environmentally sound and economical efficient road transport in the sub-region of BBIN. It also seeks to help each member country to create an institutional mechanism for regional integration. The agreement will be supplemented by building and upgrading roads, railways and waterways infrastructure in this region in order to ensure smooth cross-border flow of goods, services, technology, capital and people-to-people contact. It will benefit member nations for mutual cross border movement of passenger and goods for overall economic development of the region. For implementation of this agreement each signatory member will bear its own costs.

32. Union Government has launched Augmented Reality technology based mobile application named ‘Sakaar’ to highlight the achievements of the Department of Space. It was launched by Minister of State (MoS) in the Department of Atomic Energy Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi. Sakaar application and its multimedia content for Android devices is developed by Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU) of ISRO. The application consists of 3 Dimensional (3D) models of Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), RISAT, indigenous rockets such as PSLV, GSLV Mk-III etc. It also has videos of INSAT 3D-predicting cyclones, MOM launch and orbit insertion videos, 360 degree animated view of MOM, GSLV D5/Cryo and Anaglyph of Mars surface. What is Augmented Reality technology? Augmented Reality (AR) technology is computer-generated 3D models, animations, videos that augments (or supplements) the live direct view of a physical, real-world environment. With the help of device’s camera the real time augmentation and information is overlaying takes place which enhances user’s current perception. Essentially AR requires three basic elements for its functioning. They are AR application, AR Markers and Android OS enabled mobile with back camera.

33. Indian Railways has named Haridwar Mail as Yoga Express with an immediate effect. In this regard the train No 19031/19032 Ahmedabad-Haridwar-Ahmedabad famously known as Haridwar Mail has been christened as Yoga Express. This decision was taken by Indian Railways before celebration of first ‘International Yoga Day’ on 21st June which will be observed as global event. However, the train timings and its composition have not been changed. Yoga Express run between Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Haridwar (Uttarakhand) on daily basis covering 1208 km distance in 26 hours 05 mins. The train has number 19031 from Ahmedabad to Haridwar and number 19032 in the reverse direction. Its average speed is below 55 km/hr. The train also has a stopover at Gandhinagar which was added in 2009 Railway Budget.

34. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into the services sector grew by over 46 per cent to 3.25 billion dollars in 2014-15 fiscal. It was revealed by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The FDI in this sector has increased after government had taken series of steps to improve ease of doing business and attracting domestic as well as foreign investments. The services sector includes banking, outsourcing, insurance, Research & Development (R&D), courier and technology testing. Earlier in 2013-14, FDI in this sector was worth 2.22 billion dollar. However, the total foreign inflow in 2014-15 in the services sector was low as compared to 2012-13 when it was 4.83 billion dollars. Apart from services sector, overall foreign inflows in the country too have rose by 27 per cent to 30.93 billion dollars during 2014-15 fiscal. In 2013-14, the foreign inflow was 24.29 billion dollars. It should be noted that services contribute about 60% to India’s GDP. The other sectors where FDI inflows have recorded growth are telecommunications ($2.89 billion), automobiles ($2.57 billion) and computer software and hardware ($2.20 billion). Increase in foreign investments will help to improve country’s balance of payments (BoP) situation and strengthen the rupee.

35. Domestic e-commerce giant Snapdeal has acquired Gurgaon based mobility solutions company Letsgomo Labs. With this acquisition Letsgomo team will become part of Snapdeal. It will help to strengthen Snapdeal position in the m-commerce domain by further strengthen it mobile technology capabilities. It should be noted that 75% of the orders on Snapdeal already come via mobile-based transactions. This takeover comes in lines of Snapdeal’s acquisitions of Martmobi and Freecharge to further strengthening its mobile platform. Letsgomo Labs was founded by Manav Kamboj and Vikas Banga. Presently it has 76 members team that work across various mobile technologies including design strategy and consults in businesses right from building mobile strategies. It also helps in conceptualization of applications and mobile sites to implementation and hosting

36. As per recently published Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2015, the number of nuclear weapons in the world decreased in 2015. The overall stockpile of nuclear weapons has declined to 15,850 in early 2015 from 16,350 in early 2014. Key facts from SIPRI yearbook Main countries possessing nuclear warheads are modernizing their arsenal. Reason behind the decrease in the number of nuclear warheads is because of reduction of them from two main nuclear powers United States and Russia. Currently Russia has 7,500 number of nuclear warheads compared to 8,000 in 2014. While, US had 7,260 nuclear warheads compared to 7,300 in 2014. Till date nine countries possesses approximately around 15, 850 nuclear weapons. They are United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. Of these all nuclear weapons around 1800 weapons are kept in a state of high operational alert.

37. Metal and mining giant Vedanta Ltd and its subsidiary oil explorer Cairn India have announced to merge. The merger will create India’s largest diversified natural resources company. It will also help Cairn spread its risk from volatile oil business to other metals and commodities. Decision in this regard was taken by Independent directors of both the companies owned by billionaire Anil Agarwal. The merger will be in an all share swap deal which will give the Vedanta Ltd access to Cairn India’s 2.7 billion dollars (Rs 16,867 crore) cash pile. Vedanta will use this cash lying with Cairn to pay off part of its 77,752 crore rupees debt For the merger each minority shareholders of Cairn India will receive one equity share of Vedanta. They will also receive one redeemable preference share of Rs 10 face value with 7.5% annual dividend. Previously Vedanta was known as Sesa Sterlite Ltd. In 2013 it had consolidated its iron ore mining business by merging Sesa Goa Ltd with Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd.

38. Supreme Court has cancelled the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIMPT) 2015 and directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to re-conduct the test within one month. This verdict was given by a SC bench of Justice RK Agarwal and Justice Amitava Roy on a complaint filed by candidates. In the complaint students had alleged large-scale irregularities in AIMPT 2015, including leakage of answer keys.

39. World Bank and World Health Organisation (WHO) in their latest report have reported that around 400-million people worldwide lack access to essential health services. It was revealed in a report by the World Bank and WHO on tracking universal health care (UHC) coverage. It is the first report to measure health service coverage and financial protection and to assess countries’ progress towards UHC. Key facts from report It defines UHC in terms of measurable essential services and to be able to assess how governments and communities are performing. Apart from lack access to essential health services, the cost of health care is forcing many into poverty. More than 80 percent of world population has access to key health services. Universal health care should reach everyone regardless of socio-economic level. This UHC should be provided in family planning, TB treatment, antenatal care, HIV anti-retroviral therapy along with improved water sources and improved sanitary facilities.

40. Philae comet lander has taken on the surface of Comet 67P (Churyumov-Gerasimenko) from seven-month hibernation. It was announced by European Space Agency (ESA) after the comet lander managed to communicate with Earth for more than a minute.

41. Former Himachal Pradesh governor and ex-union minister Sheila Kaul passed away in New Delhi. She was 101. She was a sister-in-law of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi’s maternal aunt.

42. Union Government has launched an Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP) of 1,500 crore rupees as per the mandatory provision under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND), 2010. It was announced by Minister of State (MoS) in the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh in New Delhi. With this launch, INIP became 27th nuclear insurance pool in the world that manages nuclear liabilities. India also has joined an exclusive list of countries having nuclear pools. The pool will address third party liability insurance in a bid to offset financial burden of foreign nuclear suppliers under the CLNDA, 2010. The pool is set up by General Insurance Corporation (GIC) of India and 11 other non-life insurers. They are New India, Oriental Insurance, National Insurance and United India Insurance from the public sector apart from private insurance companies. Why the INIP is formed? A clause in the CLND Act empowers the operator the Right to Recourse and allows it to sue the suppliers in case of any accident. This was seen as a major hindrance to the growth of the nuclear industry. These concerns led to the formation of the nuclear insurance pool. Implications of INIP To deal with management of cover to both operators and suppliers on behalf of all direct insurance companies participating in the pool. INIP will offer policies on the nuclear operators liability insurance policy and a nuclear suppliers’ special contingency (against right to recourse) insurance policy. Address third-party liability insurance and later expand into property and other hot zone i.e. inside reactor areas risk. It should be noted that at present it only covers cold zones (outside reactor areas). Provide the risk transfer mechanism to the operators and suppliers to meet their obligations under the CLND Act.

43. Bibek Debroy Committee on the restructuring of Indian Railways has submitted its final report to the Union Ministry of Railways. The committee has suggested measures for restructuring the Railway Board and its departments so that policy making is separated from day-to-day operations. Recommendations of Bibek Debroy committee Establishment of an independent regulator Railway Regulatory Authority of India (RRAI) with a separate budget and to be independent of the Ministry. RRAI will decide on tariffs to revamp the cash-strapped railways. Railway Budget should be phased out with gross budgetary support to Indian Railways. There is need to improve the internal resource generation and explore varied methods of financing but also to improve utilisation of available resources. No privatisation of Indian Railway but allowed participation of private sector in the railway projects. Separation of activities like running of hospitals, schools, real estate development, catering, manufacturing of locomotives, coaches and wagons from the core business of running trains. State governments should be asked to entirely fund the Government Railway Police (GRP). General Managers should have the freedom to choose between private security guards and RPF for security on trains. The recommended changes should be implemented only by Union Railways ministry in the first five years including the resolution of the social cost issue. Background Union government had constituted the high-level committee in September 2014 to restructure the Railways and suggest ways for resource mobilisation. It was seven-member panel headed by eminent economist and NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy. The other 6 members are former cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar, Gusharan Das, Ravi Narain, Partha Mukhopadhyay, Rajendra Kashyap, Ajay Tyagi and Ajay Narayan Jha.

44. World Blood Donor Day is being observed across the world on 14 June to raise the public awareness about the need for safe blood donation. The theme of this year’s campaign is Thank you for saving my life. This year’s campaign encourages donors all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly with the slogan Give freely, give often. Blood donation matters.

45. China has launched a freight train service between its northeastern city of Harbin and Europe. The 9,820-km-long distance rail route will open new trade options for Chinese goods in the European Market. It was launched by HAO Logistics Co. Ltd which is a joint venture company that runs the freight service. The train carrying 49 containers of domestic goods such as electronic products and auto parts worth US 3 million dollars started its journey from Harbin capital of Heilongjiang province. The freight train will run once a week. Each single trip will take 15 days and it will transport goods from China, South Korea and Japan as well as goods from European countries such as Poland, Germany, Spain, France and Italy. This train will pass through countries like Russia and Poland to reach its final destination in Hamburg, Germany. Several other Chinese cities like Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yiwu, Hefei and Suzhou have launched similar freight train services to Europe.

46. Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) was set up in Chennai by the Union Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) and Tamil Nadu state government. The MRC will provide migrants and overseas Indian workers with information, advice, counseling and guidance on all aspects of overseas employment. It will include legal and regulatory requirements apart from documentation and policies, procedures, problems faced while working aboard by migrants and workers.

47. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V K Singh inaugurated first India-China Yoga College at Yunnan Minzu University in Kunming, China. This is first Indian government institution related Indian spiritual art form i.e. Yoga in China inaugurated ahead of the first UN Yoga Day to be observed on June 21. The Yoga College was established in lines with the MoU for establishing the Yoga College signed during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China in May 2015. This college seeks to provide certification courses in the Indian spiritual art with them Indian teachers who are going to help in curriculum development and training. Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) will provide two teachers to the university. Apart from this, Minister also unveiled the bust of Rabindranath Tagore at the University to mark his 150th birth centenary. It should be noted that Nobel laureate Tagore is most popular Indian literary personality whose works are widely translated and read in China.

48. As per recently released report by British Petroleum (BP) Energy Company, United States (US) became the world’s largest oil producer in 2014 surpassing Saudi Arabia. It was reveled in BP Energy Company report tilled Statistical Review of World Energy. Key facts from Report Oil production: US had produced 11.6 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) i.e. 15.9% more oil in 2014. While, Saudi Arabia was placed second position as it had produced 11.5 million bpd in 2014. Russia was placed at third position with 10.8 million bpd oil production. Natural gas: US also has surpassed Russia as the world’s largest producer of natural gas. In 2014, US had produced 1,250.4 million tons of oil equivalent natural gas. Russia had produced 1,062 million tons of oil equivalent natural gas in 2014. Consumption side: Primary energy consumption had slowed markedly with growth of just 0.9% in 2014. It was a lower rate than at any time since the late 1990s. Growth in consumption of China has slowed to its lowest level since 1998. The main reason for is due to its economy rebalances which are away from energy intensive sectors. But China had remained the world’s largest growth market for energy in 2014. China had consumed 2972.1 million tons of oil equivalent energy. US had consumed 2298.7 million tons. Japan had consumed 456.1 million tons oil equivalent energy. Russia had consumed 681.9 million tons oil equivalent energy. Facts related to India: India’s oil production gad declined by 1.3% at 895,000 bpd, while the consumption had increased by 3% to 3.8 million bpd. India has shown 7.1% rise in energy consumption. It is the fastest consumption among major economies. It had consumed 637.8 million tons of oil and oil equivalent natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity and renewable energy. Refining: India is self-sufficient and fourth largest in refining capacity with 4.3 million bpd. Top three nations are US (17.79 million bpd), China (14.09 million bpd) and Russia (6.3 million bpd).

49. Three day long tourism promotional Ladakh Singhey Khababs Sindhu (also known as Sindhu Darshan) Festival has begun in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh region.

50. Sangeet Natak Akademi has announced the names of recipients of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships (Akademi Ratna) 2014 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) 2014. The names of the recipients were finalized in the meeting of General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi which is also known as the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama. Akademi Fellowships which carries cash prize of 3 lakh rupees were conferred on R. Janakiraman- Musicologist. S. Sathyu– film-maker. Vijay Kichlu– Classical singer Tulsidas Borkar– Musician With this the total strength of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows has gone up to 40. Recipients of Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2014 are In the field of music For Hindustani vocal: Ashwini Bhide Deshpande Nath Narelkar and Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan. Hindustani instrumental music: Pandit Nayan Ghosh (tabla) and Ronu Majumdar (flute). Carnatic instrumental music: Neyveli Santhanagopalan (Carnatic vocal), T.A. Kaliyamurthy (Thavil), Sukanya Ramgopal (Ghatam) and Dwaram Durga Prasad Rao (violin). In the field of dance Nine persons have been selected in this category. They are Adayar Janardanan (Bharatanatyam), Amusana Devi (Manipuri), Uma Dogra (Kathak), Sudhakar Sahoo (Odissi), Vedantam Radhesyam (Kuchipudi). Jagru Mahto (Chhau), Anita Sharma (Sattriya), Varanasi Vishnu Namboothiri (Kathakali) and Navtej Singh Johar (contemporary dance). In the field of drama/ theatre Eight theatre persons have been chosen in this category. They are Asgar Wajahat, Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha, Chidambar Rao Jambe, Debshankar Haldar, Ramdas Kamath, Amod Bhatt, Manjunath Bhagwat Hostota and Amardas Manikpuri. In the field of Traditional/tribal music/folk/theatre/dance and puppetry In this category eight artistes have been selected. They are Puran Shah Koti, KKalamandalam Ram Mohan, . Kesavasamy, Abdul Rashid Hafiz, Reba Kanta Mohanta, Ramdayal Sharma, K. Shanathoiba Sharma and Thanga Darlong. About Sangeet Natak Akademi Established: in 1953 Function: Responsible for preservation and promotion of the performing arts of the country. It also recognizes the contribution of outstanding musicians, dancers and theatre artists by bestowing them its Fellowships and Awards. Its aim is to create benchmarks in the practice of the performing arts.

51. Former West Indies paceman Sir Wesley Winfield Hall has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. He is 80th cricketer to be inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and 18th from West Indies.

52. Dick Costolo has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Twitter Inc after leading the company for five years. He will demit the office of CEO on 1 July 2015. Till his replacement is found Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder and Square Inc’s CEO will take over as the Interim CEO. Under the technological leadership of Costolo, Twitter had evolved from a startup to a public company. He was also had pioneered for introducing Twitter’s famous 140 character messaging service which had gained cultural prominence and had become a powerful tool for worldwide celebrities, activists and citizen journalists to propagate their views. Dick Costolo had joined the company in 2009 as its Chief Operating Officer (CTO) and later in 2010 was appointed as its CEO. In 2013, he had helped the company to go public and also had struggled to attract new users to the service. Twitter was founded in 2006. Presently has 302 million active users and has a market value around 25 billion US dollars.

53. The World Day Against Child Labour is being observed annually across world on 12 June to bring awareness against child labour. The theme of this year is No to Child Labour, Yes to Quality Education. This year’s World Day Against Child Labour call for: For all children free, compulsory and quality education till the minimum age for admission to employment and action to reach those presently in child labour. New efforts to ensure consistent and effectiveness of national policies on child labour and education. Ensure policies that provide access to quality education and investment in the teaching profession. Background World Day Against Child Labour is an initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO). It was launched in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and to take action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Since then every year on 12 June, observance of this governments, workers organizations, employers, civil society as well as millions of people from around the world come together to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them. According to recent global estimates, around 12 crore children between the age of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour. Main reasons of child labour are poverty, lack of decent work for adults and social protection, and failure to ensure schooling of children.

54. As per recently published study, camels aged less than four years might be a major source of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The study was published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases The research study was undertaken by international team who had looked for evidence of current or past infection in more than 800 dromedary camels (also called Arabian camels). In this study researchers have found out that More than 90 per cent of camels were infected by MERS virus the age of two and virus shedding was more common in calves than in adults. Changes in animal husbandry may reduce the occurrence of human MERs infections. Dromedary camels that are living in the Middle East have antibodies that recognised MERS virus protein which is a strong sign of past infection. However the spread of MERS virus in humans is still unknown but it might spread due direct contact with body fluids from infected camels. Alternatively, it might have spread by drinking unpasteurised camel milk and possibly by transfer through the contaminated virus present in the saliva of an infected calf to their mothers. Facts about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) MERS belongs to the family of coronaviruses which includes large family of viruses such as common cold and Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). It was discovered in 2012 and was mostly centred in Saudi Arabia. But cases might have occurred before. Source: MERS is a betacoronavirus derived from bats. Camels have shown to have antibodies to MERS, but the exact source of infection in camels has not been identified. Transmission: It can be transmitted from infected person to others after close contact via a respiratory route. It spread’s in droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms: fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure. Treatment: Till date there is no vaccine available to prevent it. However intensive medical care can help patient to breath.

55. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has announced that in past one decade renewable energy targets have quadruple globally. It was mentioned IRENA Renewable Energy Target Setting report which was released by IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin on the side lines of IRENA’s 9th Council meeting in Dubai. As per report, 164 countries have adopted at least one type of renewable energy target compared to 43 countries in 2005. All nations are adopting renewable energy targets to meet multiple objectives including energy security, environmental sustainability and socio-economic benefits. Developing and emerging economies are leading nations to adopt of renewable energy targets, accounting for 131 out of the 164 countries. The majority of 150 countries have focused committed renewable energy targets on the electricity sector The numbers of countries setting renewable targets for the heating and cooling sector have increased to 47 from 2 countries in 2005. Similarly, renewable transport targets have also has doubled to 59 countries from 27 countries in 2005. About International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) IRENA is an intergovernmental organization to promote adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy. It is a global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange within its member nations. Founded: in 2009 and its statute entered into force on 8 July 2010. Headquarters: Abu Dhabi. Two governing structure: IRENA Assembly which takes decisions at macro level and gives policy guidance. IRENA Council is main governing body and is responsible for implementing various decisions of assembly. Members: In total it has 140 Members. India is one of the 33 Permanent and founder members of IRENA.

56. The second border haat (rural market) was opened for common people at Kamalasagar in Sipahijala district of Tripura bordering Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh. The haat was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina by video-conferencing from Dhaka on June 6, 2015. This market is set up at the zero line of the international border with one part on the Indian side and the other in Bangladesh. Initially it will facilitate bilateral trade of 16 shortlisted locally produced goods. These goods include agricultural and horticultural crops, spices, minor forest products excluding timber, fish and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items. People residing within a distance of 5 km from along the border are entitled to do business at the haat which will take place once in a week initially. No local taxes would be levied on the goods sold in the haats and currencies of both the countries would prevail. It is anticipated that the haat will provide basic livelihood opportunities to more than thousands of marginal income families and small traders along this border areas of both the countries. First border haat was inaugurated on Srinagar- Purba border area in January 2015 by Union Commerce and Industries Minister Nirmala along with her Bangladeshi counterpart Tofail ahmed.

57. Reserve Bank of Indian has allowed non-resident Indians (NRIs) to invest in chit fund to encourage flow of capital into the country. Decision in this regard was taken after RBI had revised the extant guidelines for subscription to the chit funds in consultation with the government. Henceforth, NRIs on non-repatriation basis will be allowed to invest in chit fund without any ceiling. However, the subscription to the chit funds by NRIs will be mandatorily brought in through normal banking channel, including through an account maintained with a bank in India. The state government may permit any chit fund to accept subscription from NRIs on non-repatriation basis. It will be permitted by the registrar of chits or an officer authorized by the state government in accordance with the provisions of the Chit Fund Act, 1982. Earlier in May 2000, RBI had barred NRIs from investing in a company or firms engaged in the business of chit fund. Apart from this decision, RBI also extended the scheme allowing airline companies to raise external commercial borrowings (ECB) for working capital as a permissible end-use under the approval route. Now, the ECB scheme will continue till March 31, 2016.

58. Legendary English actor, singer and writer Sir Christopher Lee passed away in London, United Kingdom. He was 93. The veteran actor was famously known as the master of horror for his famous villainy acting roles in numerous movies such as Dracula, The Wicker Man, James Bond, Lord of the Rings trilogy etc.

59. Union Government has scrapped customs import duties for drugs and test kits used to treat Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). In this regard Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has issued a notice that will remain in effect till March 2016. This decision will help to cut prices of AIDS drugs across the country and thus help directly in Government’s national program to fight the disease. It will also make import raw materials that are used to make antiretrovirals under the national program cheaper. This tax exemption will be applicable to certain first-line and second-line antiretroviral drugs which are used to treat adults and children. Apart from drugs certain diagnostic kits and equipment are also exempted from tax. In India more than 2.1 million HIV/AIDS patients are provided with daily antiretrovirals for free from state-run distribution centres which are operated by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

60. World’s largest search engine giant Google Inc has launched a new lite mode of Google search engine for India and Brazil on 2 Generation (2G) network. This lite mode has been developed by keeping the 2G network speed in mind. Around 200 million people in India have access Internet through their smartphones and a majority of them still prefer 2G network due to affordable tariffs. It should be noted that in 2G network, a consumer gets 10KB/s speed in good network conditions, while it goes down to 2-3KB/s in poor network coverage.

61. China has conducted the fourth successful test of a new Wu-14 hypersonic strike vehicle which is capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The test was conducted on 7 June 2015 and the vehicle launched atop a ballistic missile fired from a test facility in western China. The vehicle has ability to executed extreme maneuvers that may be able to render US anti-missile defense systems obsolete. This test was the fourth test in past 18 months. Previous tests were conducted in year 2014 in the months of January, August and December. The Wu-14 is capable to travel in high altitude in the atmosphere on the edge of space. It can carry nuclear or conventional warheads. The high-tech vehicle can travel at speeds of up to 10 times the speed of sound i.e. around 7,680 miles per hour.

62. Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the only Indian to find place in the Forbes magazine’s list of 100 World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2015 He was placed at 23rd on the Forbes list with total earnings of 31 million dollars including amount from salary at 4 million dollars and endorsements worth 27 million dollars. This edition of list was again topped by US boxer Floyd Mayweather for third time. It should be noted that the earnings figures include sum of salaries, bonuses and prize money paid between June 2014 and June 2015. Top ten World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2015 are Floyd Mayweather (Boxing) from US: $ 300 million. Manny Pacquiao (Boxing) from Philippines: $ 160 million. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) from Portugal: $ 79.6 million. Lionel Messi (Football) from Argentina: $73.8 million. Roger Federer (Tennis) from Switzerland: $67 million. LeBron James (Basketball) from US: $64.8 million. Kevin Durant (Basketball) from US: $54.1 million. Phil Mickelson (Golf) from US: $50.8 million. Tiger Woods (Golf) from US: $50.6 million. Kobe Bryant (Basketball) from US: $49.5 million.
In this edition of list only two women athletes made to the list they are Maria Sharapova (Tennis) from Russia: She was placed at 26th rank with total earnings of $ 31 million. Serena Williams (Tennis) from US: She was placed at 47th rank with total earnings of $ 6 million.

63. African countries have signed a historic The Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) that facilitates creation of Africa’s largest free-trade zone. This free-trade zone will cover 26 countries in an area from southernmost tip of African continent i.e. Cape Town (South Africa) to Cairo (Egypt) in the north. The pact was signed in Egypt will intent to ease the movement of goods across 26 member countries which represent more than half the continent’s GDP. TFTA pact combines existing three trade blocs among the African nations viz Southern African Development Community (SADC). East African Community (EAC). Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). It will remove trade barriers on most goods, making them cheaper and stimulating $ 1 trillion worth of economic activity across the region of more than 600 million people. Thus bolster intra-regional trade by creating a wider market that will increase investment flow and enhance regional infrastructure development. The pact will then be officially unveiled at the upcoming 25th summit of the African Union in South Africa. After adopting it will need parliamentary ratification from all member-nations.