1) Centre Gives ‘Green’ Nod for Kaleshwaram Project in Telangana
•The Telangana state government’s prestigious Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) has finally got the Green Nod from central government.
•The expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest recommended the “proposal for grant of environmental clearance” in its meeting held in Delhi. The green nod for the project will be a big boost to the state government.
2) Andhra Pradesh Government Signs Agreements With Alphabet X
•The government of Andhra Pradesh has entered into an agreement with the moonshot factory of Alphabet (earlier Google) X to bring the breakthrough Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) technology in order to provide internet through the government Fibergrid project.
•This association with X labs to implement FSOC in AP is first of its kind in the world to provide wireless internet connection at a higher speed of up to 20Gbps and to a distance of up to 20kms.
3) PM Announces Relief Package for Cyclone Ockhi Affected States
•Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ockhi affected Lakshwadeep, Tamil Nadu and Kerala to take stock of the situation, meets affected people. He announced the relief package of Rs 325 crore for all 3 states and ex-gratia assistance of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
•PM had also visited Lakshadweep. He is the first Prime Minister to visit the Union Territory in 25 years. Cyclone Ockhi battered Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep on 30th of November. It left a deadly trail killing 88 people and destroying crops.
4) Assam Signs MoU with Isha Foundation to Save Rivers
•The Assam government has signed an MoU with Isha Foundation to conserve and rejuvenate the rivers of Assam.
•Assam became the sixth state in the country to sign MoU with non-profit making and spiritual organization, the Isha foundation. The agreement was signed by Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal.
5) In a First, France Passes Law to Ban all Oil and Gas Production by 2040
•France's parliament has approved a law banning all exploration and production of oil and natural gas by 2040 within the country and its overseas territories.
•Under that law that passed a final vote, existing drilling permits will not be renewed and no new exploration licenses will be granted. The French government claims the ban is a world first.
6) Delhi Ranks 7th in Most Expensive Office Locations List: Report
•Delhi has emerged as one of the most expensive premium office locations in the world. Ranked 7th in the list,rent of Delhi’s premium office location is higher than San Francisco and Dubai, according to the latest report by JLL India, a real estate services firm.
•Mumbai is at 16th position in the list. The top spot is again taken by Hong Kong and there is huge margin between the rent rates between Hong Kong and London (West), which is second in the list. New York, Beijing, Tokyo are on the third, fourth and fifth position respectively.
7) World Bank Provides Loans of $125 Million for STRIVE Project
•The World Bank has committed $125 million (around Rs800 crore) loan to India for the STRIVE project for skill development.
•The objective of the operation (Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement) is to improve access to quality and market-driven vocational training as well as apprenticeships. The financing agreement was signed between the World Bank and the Finance Ministry.
8) Shree Saini from Washington Crowned Miss India USA 2017
•Washington resident Shree Saini has been crowned Miss India USA 2017. While Prachi Singh from Connecticut was declared the first runner-up at the pageant, which was held at the Royal Alberts Palace in Edison, New Jersey.
•Shree Saini is an anti-bullying activist. At the beauty pageant, cancer surgeon Kavita Malhotra Pattani from Florida was declared Mrs India USA 2017. Swapna Mannam, 17, from New Jersey was crowned with Miss Teen India USA 2017.
