Finance/Business/Economy
1. RBI signed an MoU on Supervisory Cooperation with Banco Central do Brasil
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Supervisory Cooperation and Exchange of Supervisory Information with Brazil’s Central Bank, Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) on 26 December 2014.
The information related to MoU was announced by RBI through its notification released on 27 January 2015.
The MoU was signed by Anthero de Moraes Meirelles, Deputy Governor for Supervision, BCB and SS Mundra, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India.
The Reserve Bank has been signing the Memorandum of Understanding/ Exchange of Letters/Statement of Co-operation with supervisors of other countries to promote greater co-operation and sharing of supervisory information among the authorities.
With this the Reserve Bank has signed 23 such MoUs, one Letter for Supervisory Cooperation and one Statement of Cooperation (SoC) with regulators/supervisors of other countries.
2. Apple Inc recorded the highest-ever profit of 18 billion US dollars in corporate history worldwide
Apple Inc on 27 January 2015 recorded highest quarterly profit of 18 billion US dollar. The company sold 74.5 million iPhones in quarter ending December 2014.
According to S&P analyst Howard Silverblatt, the profit of 18 billion US dollar was the largest profit ever made by a public company in the corporate history worldwide.
The revenue of the Apple Inc rose to 74.6 billion US dollar in 2014 from 57.6 billion US dollar in 2013. Apple now has a cash pile up of 178 billion US dollar which is enough to buy IBM or the equivalent to pay 556 US dollar to every American.
The success of Apple in the competitive Chinese market can be attributed to its partnership with China Mobile Limited the largest global mobile carrier, and the appeal of the larger screen size of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
The big-screen iPhone 6 and 6 plus drove revenues in China which increased by 70 percent in the quarter ending December 2014 compared to quarter ending December 2013. Also, the sale of iPhone doubled in Singapore and Brazil.
3. CCEA approved mandatory packaging of food-grains, sugar in Jute material for the Jute Year 2014-15
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 28 January 2015 approved mandatory packaging of food-grains and sugar in Jute material for the Jute Year 2014-15 with certain exemptions.
This decision will preserve and promote the jute sector. The minimum percentage of food-grains and sugar reserved for packaging in Jute for the Jute Year 2014-15:
Food-grains: 90 percent of the production
Sugar: 20 percent of the production
In case of food-grains, the indents for the whole requirement will be placed for the jute bags. However, if jute mills will not be able to provide the jute bags as per the demand, then a dilution of 10 percent will be permitted by the Department of Food in consultation with the Union Ministry of Textiles.
4. Steve Easterbrook appointed as CEO of McDonald’s Corporation
Steve Easterbrook was on 28 January 2015 appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of McDonald’s Corporation with effect from 1 March 2015.
Steve Easterbrook will succeed Don Thompson who decided to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald's on 1 March 2015 after spending nearly 25 years in the company. Thompson was the first African-American to head the company since it was founded in 1955.
Easterbrook was also elected to the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy created by Thompson. He is currently Chief Brand Officer of the company.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s gave no reason for the abrupt retirement of the Thompson. However, the change in management came after two years of worsening sales of McDonald's in US market.
5. Union Cabinet approved MoU on Tourism between India and Oman
Union Cabinet on 28 January 2015 approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism between India and Oman.
The MoU will strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism between tourism ministries of both the countries.
The main objectives of the MoU are to
Expand bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector
Exchange information and data related to tourism
Encourage cooperation between tourism stakeholders including hotels and tour operators
Establish exchange programme for cooperation in Human Resource Development
Invest in the tourism and hospitality sectors
Promote safe, honourable and sustainable tourism
6. CCEA approved HDFC Bank’s proposal to raise foreign holding limit to 74 per cent
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 28 January 2015 approved a proposal of HDFC Bank to raise the foreign holding limit to 74 per cent. The decision will enable inflow of around 10000 crore rupees into the country from overseas investors.
HDFC Bank would raise the fund through issuing of equity shares to non-resident Indians (NRIs) or foreign institutional investors (FIIs) or foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) subject to aggregate foreign shareholding not exceeding 74 per cent of the post issue paid up capital.
Earlier in November 2014, Foreign Investment promotion Board (FIPB) had cleared the proposal of HDFC Bank to hike the foreign holding limit to 74 percent.
Total foreign investment in HDFC Bank was 73.39 percent at the end of June 2014. It had come down to 73.2 percent at the end of September 2014.
Besides, CCEA also allowed drug maker Lupin to raise the limit of Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) holding to 49 percent. This would facilitate an inflow of 6099 crore rupees.As per the norms, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) can only take up FDI proposals up to 1200 crore rupees. Beyond that, they are sent to CCEA for approval.
7. World Bank released a report on Social Inclusion and Sustainable Development in Himachal Pradesh
World Bank on 28 January 2015 released a report titled Scaling the Heights: Social Inclusion and Sustainable Development in Himachal Pradesh.
It is the first report of its kind for Himachal Pradesh. It is a macro-social account of the state’s achievements over the past several decades. Simultaneously, it is an interdisciplinary attempt to understand the confluence of factors that allowed the state to move toward social inclusion and sustainable development.
Main highlights of the Report
Per capita income in Himachal Pradesh is the second highest in the country – an impressive achievement given that more than 90 percent of its residents live in rural areas.
Educational attainment is among the highest in the country, and the share of women in the workforce is larger than in most other states.
Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country to have banned the use of plastic bags. The state is also a trail-blazer in sanitation and is the first among its north Indian neighbours to come close to becoming open defecation free.
8. Zomato Media Pvt Ltd acquired Turkey-based firm Mekanist
Online restaurant search service provider Zomato Media Pvt Ltd on 29 January 2015 acquired Turkish company Mekanist for an undisclosed sum.
With the acquisition of Mekanist in an all cash deal, Zomato’s restaurant coverage will increase to more than 75000 across Turkey from about 27500 now.
The Mekanist team will integrate into Zomato and all of Mekanist’s traffic and restaurant-related content will move to Zomato. Moreover, Mekanist app users will be able to use the Zomato app.
Turkish restaurants will be able to make use of Zomato's hyper-local advertising model to reach out to target customers that are searching for restaurants in and around their location.
9. UNCTAD released Global Investment Trends Monitor Report
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on 29 January 2015 released Global Investment Trend Monitor Report. The report provides the global investments trend in 2014 and prospects of global investments in 2015.
The report highlights that Global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows declined by 8 percent in 2014 to an estimated 1.26 trillion US dollars due to the fragility of the global economy, political uncertainty and geopolitical risks.
In 2014, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flow in India increased by 26 percent to an estimated 35 billion US dollar with maximum growth in the services sector, despite the decline in global FDI inflows.
Main Highlights of the Report
FDI flows to developed countries dropped by 14 percent to an estimated 511 billion US dollar, which was significantly affected by large divestment in the United States
FDI flows to the European Union (EU) reached an estimated 267 billion US dollar, which was 13 percent increase on 2013, but is still only one-third of the 2007 peak
FDI flows to transition economies more than halved to 45 billion US dollar, this happened due to regional conflict, sanctions on the Russian Federation. The negative growth prospects deterred foreign investors (especially from developed countries) from investing in the region
FDI inflows in developing economies reached a new high of more than 700 billion US dollar, which was 4 percent higher than 2013, with global share of 56 percent
At the regional level, flows to developing Asia were up, to Africa remained flat, while FDI to Latin America declined
Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) rose by 19 percent, driven mainly by restructuring deals.
In 2014, Greenfield investment projects rose by 3 percent
Top five FDI recipients’ country of 2014
In 2014, China was the largest recipient of FDI with an increase of 3 percent FDI. As largest recipient of FDI, China replaced the US, a position that was held by it since 1980s.
Among the top five FDI recipients in the world, four are developing economies, the rankings is:
China with 128 billion US dollar
Hong Kong with 111 billion US dollar
The United States with 86 billion US dollar
Singapore with 81 billion US dollar
Brazil with 62 billion US dollar
Report in context of India
In 2014 FDI flow in India increased by 26 percent to an estimated 35 billion US dollar with maximum growth in the services sector, despite the decline in global Foreign Direct Investment inflows.
Maximum growth was witnessed in services sector especially in electricity, gas, water, waste management and information and communication. This figure is one of the highest in recent years, though in 2008 FDI peaked in India with 47 billion dollars followed by 35.6 billion dollar in 2009.
News Related to India
10. Arundhathi Subramaniam won Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize for Poetry
Poetess Arundhathi Subramaniam on 24 January 2015 won the inaugural Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize for Poetry at Jaipur Literature Festival. She was awarded for her work When God is a Traveller.
Subramaniam’s name was chosen from a list of 5 shortlisted names which were announced on 10 October 2014.
Other shortlisted works were
Escape Artist by Sridala Swami
Central Time by Ranjit Hoskote
Fire Altar by Keki N Daruwalla
Selected Poems by Joy Goswami translated by Sampurna Chattarji
She is the author of numerous books, namely
Where I Live published
Sadhguru: More Than a Life
The Book of Buddha
On Cleaning Bookshelves
11. Divya Prakash Sinha appointed as Security Secretary in the Union Cabinet Secretariat
Divya Prakash Sinha was on 25 January 2015 appointed as Secretary (Security) in the Union Cabinet Secretariat. His appointment was approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
The post of Secretary (Security) had been lying vacant since November 2013 when then Secretary Yashovardhan Azad resigned after being appointed as Information Commissioner by the Union Government.
The move is part of the Government's effort to fill up key posts in the security establishment.
Divya Prakash Sinha is a 1979 batch IPS officer of the Manipur-Tripura cadre. He has served the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for several years handling operations in key regions such as the Northeast and New Delhi.
12. S Jaishankar appointed as the Foreign Secretary of India
India's Ambassador to the US, Dr. S Jaishankar was appointed as the Foreign Secretary on 28 January 2015. He will have tenure of two years from the date he assumes charge.
The decision of appointing Jaishankar as the Foreign Secretary was taken by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jaishankar replaced current Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh whose tenure was curtailed by nearly seven months. Singh’s two-year tenure was to end in August 2015. She was appointed as Foreign Secretary in 2013.
Jaishankar’s appointment came few days before he was supposed to retire. He was due to retire on 31 January 2015.
13. Wing Commander Puja Thakur became first lady officer to lead Inter-Service Guard of Honour
Wing Commander Pooja Thakur on 25 January 2015 became the first lady officer to lead the Inter-Service Guard of Honour for a major visiting dignitary at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace). The Guard of Honour was inspected by the US President Barack Obama.
Thakur leading the Inter-Service Guard of Honour was in line with the theme of Nari Shakti (Women Power) chosen for the 2015 Republic Day parade. The 2015 parade also saw all women contingents of the army, air force and navy walking down the Rajpath for the first time.
Thakur joined Indian Air Force in 2000 and belongs to administrative branch. She is currently posted at DISHA, the publicity cell under the Directorate of Personnel Officers at the Air Force Headquarters. Her father retired as a Colonel from the Indian Army.
14. Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project in Sunderbans got a fresh start with expert assistance
The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project in Sunderbans was in news in January 2015. It was in news because it got a fresh start with the help of renowned experts in herpetology who introduced global best practices in crocodile conservation.
The project was started in mid-1970s with an aim to increase the number of saltwater crocodiles, a Schedule-I species under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The project is situated next to the uninhabited Lothian Island, far from the mainland in the Sunderbans archipelago.
15. K Durga Prasad appointed as the Special DG of CRPF
K Durga Prasad was appointed as the Special Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on 27 January 2015. Prasad, an IPS officer of 1981 batch from Andhra Pradesh cadre will be in office for next three years or till further orders are given.
Earlier, Prasad served as the director of the Special Protection Group (SPG). SPG provides security to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their family members.
16. Nation remembers Mahatma Gandhi on his 67th death anniversary
Mahatma Gandhi was today fondly remembered on his 67th death anniversary with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the country in paying homage to the Father of the Nation.
Mukherjee laid a wreath at Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat.
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi accompanied by Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu also paid floral tributes to the apostle of peace. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were among the leaders who paid homage to the Mahatma at his memorial.
A two-minute silence in memory of Gandhi was observed.
The three service chiefs, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Admiral Robin Dhowan and General Dalbir Singh Suhag, paid tributes followed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh. A gun salute was also given on the occasion.
17. Union Cabinet reconstituted Empowered Committee on setting up of Semiconductor Wafer FAB projects
The Union Cabinet on 28 January 2015 reconstituted the Empowered Committee on setting up of Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication (FAB) manufacturing facilities in the country. The reconstituted committee will be headed by NITI Aayog member V K Saraswat.
The members of the Committee include:
K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation
M.J. Zarabi, former Chairman of Semiconductor Complex Limited
Narendra Krishna Karmarkar, Visiting Professor of IIT-Bombay
Ratan P. Watal, Secretary of Department of Expenditure,
Amitabh Kant, Secretary of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
R.S. Sharma, Secretary of Department of Electronics and Information technology
The setting up of FAB units will promote Electronics System Design and manufacturing in India which will stimulate the flow of capital and technology.
Besides, these units will also create employment opportunities, help higher value addition in the electronic products manufactured, reduce dependence on imports and lead to innovation.
18. Shekhar Sen appointed as Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi
Renowned music composer and actor Shekhar Sen was on 29 January 2015 appointed as the Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA). He was appointed for a term of 5 years with immediate effect.
Shekhar Sen will succeed Leela Samson who resigned from the position on 5 September 2014. The post was lying vacant since October 2014.
19. Union Government launched Website, Logo, Vision, Mission of NHIDCL
Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) on 28 January 2015 launched Website, Logo, Vision and Mission of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
These were launched by the Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari.
Website: www.nhidcl.com
Logo: Building Infrastructure - Building the Nation
Vision: To be an instrument for creation and management of infrastructure of the highest standard in the country with focus on the North East and Border areas and contribute significantly towards nation building.
Mission: To be a professional company which works in most efficient and transparent manner and designs, develops & delivers infrastructure projects in a time bound basis for maximizing benefits to all stakeholders.
Besides, the Ministry also floated first tender for upgrading 2-lane Akajan-Likabali-Bame Road in Arunachal Pradesh at a cost of 272 crore rupees.
20. ErosNow tied up with RailTel to provide Streaming Services to Rail Passengers
The entertainment platform of Eros International Media, ErosNow on 28 January 2015 tied-up with RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel) to provide Streaming Services to Rail Passengers through Eros broadband.
With the help of this tie-up, the railway passengers will soon have access to movies, television content, music videos and audio tracks.
The broadband streaming services will enable passengers at railway stations to download and view their favourite entertainment content from ErosNow on their smart-TVs, PCs, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
RailTel also launched high-speed Wi-Fi network on key railway stations and the passengers will be informed about this exclusive service on arrival at stations.
In 2014, the Wi-Fi service was successfully launched by RailTel at New Delhi and Bangalore railway stations for providing high speed internet to passengers.
21. Hanumanthu Purushotham took charge as CMD of NRDC
Eminent scientist Hanumanthu Purushotham took charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of National Research Development Corporation (NRDC). He took over the charge in the fourth week of January 2015.
Earlier, he was Scientist-G and Head of Knowledge Management Centre at International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Department of Science and Technology at Hyderabad.
With about 30 years of diverse experience across the innovation value chain in different industry verticals, he had served as scientist in various capacities in various CSIR laboratories of the country.
22. Union Ministry of Defence announced 2015 Republic Day Parade Awards
Union Ministry of Defence on 29 January 2015 announced the Awards of the 2015 Republic Day Parade.
The awards were announced by three panels of judges. The panels was appointed by the Defence Ministry for assessing the marching contingents from three Services, Para-Military Forces and tableaux from various States/ Ministries/Departments and School Children items from Schools of Delhi as well as outside Delhi.
The awards were announced in the following category:
Services category: Brigade of Guards Regiment and Sikh Regiment jointly adjudged the best marching contingents in the Republic Day Parade 2015.
Para-Military Forces: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) contingent was awarded the best contingent.
Tableaux Category: First position won by Maharashtra Tableau, which depicted Wari to Pandharpur (the pilgrimage to Pandharpur). While Jharkhand tableau on Maluti Temples won the second best and the third position went to Karnataka Tableau based on famous Channapatna Toys.
23. DRDO received approval to build missile launch testing facility in the Krishna Delta Complex
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 29 January 2015 received the approval to build a missile launch testing facility at a site adjacent to the Krishna Delta Complex in Andhra Pradesh. The site is a nesting site of Olive Ridley turtles, an endangered species.
The approval was granted by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife chaired by Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
International News
24. Alexis Tsipras sworn in as PM of Greece
Alexis Tsipras on 26 January 2015 was sworn in as the Prime Minister (PM) of Greece by President Karolos Papoulias at Maximos Mansion, the PM’s official residence and office. He is the head of Greece's far-left SYRIZA party.
He was sworin-in as Prime Minister after his SYRIZA party won 149 seats out of 300 parliamentary seats in the General Elections held in Greece on 25 January 2015. He fought the elections with campaign Hope is Coming.
He became the first prime minister in Greek history to be sworn in without the traditional oath on a Bible and blessing of basil and water from the Greek Archbishop. He became first to take a civil rather than a religious oath of office.
He also became the youngest Prime Minister of Greece since 1865.
It is for the first time in more than 40 years that neither the New Democracy party nor the center-left PASOK will be in power. The two forces had dominated Greek politics since the fall of military junta in 1974.
25. Shirani Bandaranayake reinstated as Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
Shirani Bandaranayake, the former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, was reinstated on 28 January 2015 by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on a special cabinet approval.
With the reinstatement of Bandaranayake, the appointment of Mohan Peiris as Chief Justice of Sri Lanka by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was cancelled and termed as illegal appointment.
The appointment of Peiris was termed illegal because, according to President’s office, the Rajapaksa government had not followed the proper constitutional procedure. Peiris was appointed as successor of Bandaranayake.
Earlier, Bandarnayake, the 43rd Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, was impeached and removed by the Parliament of Sri Lanka during the regime of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January 2013.
26. Anti-Leprosy Day observed to focus Attention on Disease
Anti-Leprosy Day was observed on 30 January 2015 nationwide to focus attention on the disease which is also known as the Hansen’s disease. On this occasion President of India extended his best wishes to the Indian Leprosy Association.
The day is celebrated in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi in order to re-memorize his selfless efforts and care for the people affected by the infectious disease leprosy.
27. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe becomes African Union chairman
Ninety-year-old Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, one of Africa's most divisive figures, ascended to the rotating chairmanship of the African Union on Friday.
Mr. Mugabe, the only leader Zimbabwe has known since independence from Britain in 1980, assumed the largely ceremonial role at an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
28. Zhelyu Zhelev, Bulgaria’s first democratically elected President, dies
Zhelyu Zhelev, a philosopher and communist-era dissident, who became Bulgaria’s first democratically elected President in 1990, died on Friday, his family said. He was 79.
Zhelev was the founder and first leader of the pro-democracy Union of Democratic Forces after the demise of the country’s Stalinist regime in 1989. He served as President until 1997.
SPORTS NEWS
29. Saina Nehwal won women’s single of Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold Badminton Tournament 2015
Saina Nehwal of India on 25 January 2015 won the women’s singles of Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold Badminton Tournament 2015. She defeated World Champion Carolina Marin of Spain 19-21, 25-23, 21-16 in the finals played at Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
With this win, Saina retained her title which she had won in 2014 and also maintained her 100 per cent win record against Carolina in three career meetings.
Saina Nehwal is ranked third in the world whereas Carolina Marin is ranked seventh in the world.
Apart from this, third seeded Parupalli Kashyap beat World Number five K Srikanth to win men's singles of the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold badminton.
However, in the mixed doubles, Indian pair of Manu Attri and K Maneesha went down to top seeded Indonesian pair of Riky Widianto and Puspita Richi Dili 17-21, 17-21 to finish runners-up.
30. Hockey Olympian Jaswant Singh Rajput died
Hockey Olympian Jaswant Singh Rajput died on 28 January 2015 following a prolonged illness. He was 88.
He was part of Indian hockey team that won gold medal in 1948 London and 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
He played at centre-half and left-half position and formed a lethal foursome with Leslie Claudius, Keshav Dutt and Meldric Daluz.
Born in Delhi, he shifted to Kolkata to pursue his career in hockey and played for Bhowanipore Club. Later in 1952, he moved to Mohun Bagan and helped them to win the Beighton Cup.
31. Australian golfer Kelvin David George Nagle died
Australia’s former golfer Kelvin David George Nagle died on 29 January 2015 in Sydney's Mona Vale Hospital after battling poor health. He was 94.
Born in North Sydney on 21 December 1920, Nagle was the winner of the British Open (the Open Championship) at St. Andrews in 1960. He held a record of winning 61 tournaments on the Australasian PGA tour after turning professional in 1946.
He had the incredible record of winning a tournament every year from 1949 to 1975. Nagle's first big win came at the 1949 Australian PGA championship, which he went on to win further five times.
In November 2007, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
32. Sean Abbott of Australia named as the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year 2015
Fast bowler Sean Abbott of Australia on 27 January 2015 was named as the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year 2015 at the Allan Border Medal ceremony held in Sydney.
Other winners at the ceremony includes
Allan Border Medal: Steve Smith, Captain of Australia
Test Player of the Year 2015: Steve Smith
One Day International Player of the Year 2015: Steve Smith
Twenty20 International Player of the Year 2015 – Glenn Maxwell
Women's International Cricketer of the Year (The Belinda Clark Award) – Southern Stars Captain Meg Lanning
Australian Cricket Hall of Fame – Adam Gilchrist and late Victorian all-rounder Jack Ryder
Steve Smith became third player to win all the three awards namely Allan Border Medal, Test and ODI player of the year award after Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson.
33. India to host ICC Twenty20 World Cup in 2016
International Cricket Council (ICC) in its board meeting in Dubai on 29 January 2015 announced that India will host the Twenty20 World Cup in 2016. The Twenty20 World Cup will be held in India from 11 March 2016 to 3 April 2016.
The meeting was chaired by N Srinivasan in the presence of all the full-member and associate representatives.
Besides this, the ICC board took some major decisions. These include
Reinstatement of the use of a Super Over in the event of a tie in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final.
Approved changes in ICC Code of Conduct offences relating to slow over-rates in ICC events so that captains do not carry any prior minor over-rate offence strikes or over-rate suspensions from other series into an ICC event.
Any over-rate strikes incurred prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be carried forward to the first bilateral series after the event.
The 2017 Champions Trophy will be hosted by England from 1 June to 19 June 2017 The 2017 Women’s World Cup will be held in England from 4 August 2017 to 27 August 2017.
The 2018 Women’s Twenty20 World Cup will be organised in the West Indies from 2 November to 25 November 2018.
England will host the 50-over World Cup in 2019 from 30 May to 15 June 2019.
34. ICC lifted the five-year ban imposed on Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Amir
International Cricket Council (ICC) on 29 January 2015 lifted the five-year ban imposed on Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Amir. With this, Amir can now play in domestic cricket under the auspices of the Pakistan Cricket Board with immediate effect.
This decision to lift the five-year ban, which was due to end on 2 September 2015, was taken during two-day board meeting of ICC in Dubai.
The decision to lift the ban was taken after Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the Chairman of Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) exercised his discretion to allow Mohammad Amir to return to domestic cricket.
He exercised his discretion under Article 6.8 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code with prior approval of the ICC Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
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