Headlines At a Glance – 25th Jan 2020
Scholars from India and Russia participate in the first Ganga-Volga Dialogue of Civilizations
Eminent scholars from India and Russia participated in the first Ganga-Volga Dialogue of Civilizations earlier this week here, wherein they deliberated upon the existing and emerging spheres of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. As many as 15 scholars from Russia and India spoke at the dialogue. Evaluating the current state of India-Russia cooperation in various spheres and in emerging and new areas which provide significant possibilities of cooperation such as the Russian Far East and Eurasia, the scholars agreed that efforts should be made to encourage the younger generation of scholars in both countries to engage with each other through the platforms of academic and scientific research, language studies, exchange of youth delegations etc.
SOURCE: Business Standard
India, Bangladesh sign agreement to upgrade 50 km Ashuganj (river port)
India and Bangladesh signed an agreement on Thursday to upgrade the 50.58-kilometre long road between Ashuganj river port and the Akhaura land port in Bangladesh into a 4-lane highway. The deal to upgrade the 39 km long road between Ashuganj river port to Dharhar area was signed between the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Bangladesh and an Indian Company Afcons Infrastructure Limited. The RHD and an India-Bangladesh joint venture firm will take up the work of upgrading the remaining part of the road from Dharhar to Akhaura. The project is part of the dollar 2 billion second line of credit extended by India to Bangladesh in 2016. The project will boost connectivity between Bangladesh and North-eastern part of India which will facilitate sub-regional connectivity among South and South-east Asian countries.
SOURCE: The Hindu
644 extremists from eight banned outfits surrender in Assam
Altogether 644 extremists, belonging to eight banned outfits, surrendered at an official ceremony in Guwahati on Thursday. Almost half of them were from a little-known Bengali group. The event, attended by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, was in a series of “mainstreaming” of extremist groups since 1992. But the State’s Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said it was one of the biggest in scale. Most (301) of the surrendered extremists belonged to the National Liberation Front of Bengali (NLFB), followed by 178 of the Adivasi Dragon Fighter and 87 of the National Santhal Liberation Army.
SOURCE: The Hindu
India’s ranked 80th on Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI-2019) of Transparency International
India has been ranked at the 80th position among 180 countries and territories in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) prepared by Transparency International. The CPI, released at the WEF 2020 here, ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people. Denmark and New Zealand have cornered the top spot, followed by Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland in the top ten. Other countries in the top level are Norway (7th Rank), the Netherlands (8th), Germany and Luxembourg (9th). With a score of 41, India is at the 80th spot. The rank is also shared by China, Benin, Ghana and Morocco. Neighbouring Pakistan is ranked at the 120th place.
SOURCE: Economic Times
WEF announces the launch of Global Consortium for Digital Currency Governance
The World Economic Forum on Friday announced the first global consortium focused on designing a framework for the governance of digital currencies, including stablecoins. The Global Consortium for Digital Currency Governance will aim to increase access to the financial system through innovative policy solutions that are inclusive and interoperable. The opportunities for financial inclusion will only be unlocked if the space is regulated properly and includes public-private cooperation across developed and high growth markets, the WEF said while announcing the new initiative on the last day of its 50th annual meeting after extensive consultation with the global community. Digital currencies are often cited as a tool for financial inclusion, but this opportunity can only be realized when paired with good governance.
SOURCE: Business Standard
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