From making small talk at social gatherings to sounding smarter in interviews, this quick update on trending news helps you start conversations and also join in with all that’s buzzing!

Read up and get set to talk the talk!

NEWS THAT MADE HEADLINES

From demonetisation to digitalisation –  while PM Modi’s baby “demonetisation” celebrated its 1st month birthday on December 8th, the Government shifted focus from withdrawal rules to taking measures to promote digital payments:

• 0.75% discount on purchase of petrol/diesel by card or digital payments  

• 15% service tax that’s imposed on credit or debit card transactions has been removed for upto Rs. 2,000

• Nandan Nilekani (creator of the Aadhar card system and Infosys co-founder) has been made the government's digital advisor

• Colleges across the country have been instructed to train students on digital payments, so that they can teach others.

• Earlier, the RBI doubled the permitted balance kept in prepaid wallets from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000.

         You can read more in our cheat-sheet on demonetisation.

South India faced nature’s fury -  an intense tropical cyclone named “Vardah” hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the coastline along Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It brought very heavy rainfall in the Andaman Islands, stranding thousands of tourists. In Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu, the cyclone hit with extremely high wind speeds clocking 100 kmph that created significant destruction to life and property. It is believed that tropical cyclones are getting more intense due to the impact of climate change.

Corruption case came back to haunt Former Indian Air Force Chief S P Tyagi – He was arrested by the CBI in a probe into alleged corruption in procurement of defence goods (helicopters) from the Italian company AgustaWestland. In 2013, Italian investigators had alleged that the Tyagi received bribes to swing the deal in favour of AgustaWestland, by altering technical requirements of the tender. Read more about the case here

STORIES THAT INSPIRED US

In a pathbreaking judgment, the Allahabad high court termed the Islamic practice of “triple talaq” unconstitutional and a violation of the rights of Muslim women. “No Personal Law Board is above the Constitution," said the high court in its order on a petition filed by a woman who claimed her husband arbitrarily divorced her.

Read more on all that’s good news for women

The Indian women’s cricket team clinched the Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup after beating Pakistan. India has, in fact, won all six editions of the tournament. And all under Captain Mithali Raj.

Two Indian-origin men have figured in Forbes magazine's 'America's Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40 2016' list. Vivek Ramaswamy (a biotech entrepreneur) was ranked 24th and Apoorva Mehta (owner of grocery delivery service Instacart) stood at the 31st spot.

A QUOTE TO QUOTE

  "For God's sake, do your job” said President of India Pranab Mukherjee, in a message to MPs after the Winter Session of Parliament remained adjourned for 16 consecutive days since.

TALK THE TALK

What to ask a cricket fanatic

About the Indian cricket team’s victory against England in the test match in Mumbai, by an innings and 36-runs. In what’s becoming quite routine, R. Ashwin took another 5-wicket hall and Captain Virat Kohli scored another double hundred. India have now clinched the series 3-0 with one more test remaining in the 5-match series (the 1st was a draw). Read up this sports cheat-sheet if you want more updates.

What to say when your friend loses a popularity contest to someone less amicable

It even happened to Narendra Modi! Newly elected President of America Donald Trump has been selected 2016’s Time's Person of the Year, ahead of PM Modi who had won the Reader’s Poll for Person of The Year.

The next time someone says "money can't buy happiness"

Joke about comedian-actor Kapil Sharma, who has been paid Rs 100 crore by Sony TV as contract renewal fee of The Kapil Sharma Show! Kapil will take home the huge sum of money in return for hosting an immensely popular TV show that makes people happy!

How to convince someone to replace their very old smart phone with a new one

Tell her she won’t be able to use WhatsApp on the old phone from 2017. WhatsApp announced it will stop running its app on older versions of Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. Read more about Apps and mobile updates making news

When people are discussing the recent hacking of Twitter and emails and apps

You can bring up how hacking seems to have major consequences even at a high level, like during America’s Presidential elections. A new investigation report says Russia launched a secret intelligence operation to help Donald Trump win the election. The report alleges Russia hacked both Republican and Democratic emails but released details only from the Democrats’ emails. Trump dismissed the report saying "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction."

If you have to convince people about unpleasant rules for proper code of conduct in public places

You can give the example of Uber cabs! Uber, in the US, has brought out new rules for passengers that ban flirting and sex in its cars, intentionally spilling food or drink, vomiting because of excessive alcohol, and asking the driver overly personal questions.

What to tell your single friend who’s always on foreign tour

Maybe you can try out this new dating app for air-travellers! AirDates, a new free dating app that functions like Tinder, connects air travellers so they can meet up with potential lovers’ mid-air and hookup on flights.

What to tell your friend who is a cleanliness freak

Watch out, too much cleanliness is also harmful! Like Sweden is realising now after it ran out of garbage and is being forced to import some from other countries to keep its recycling plants running. The country sources almost half its electricity from renewable energy (like from burning waste).

A NEW BOOK TO READ AND DISCUSS

Shrill by Lindy West

A funny and light read. Shrill is an essay collection on feminism, accepting a “fat” body and dealing with fat shaming and hateful trolling on the internet. The author has put down her experiences of facing intolerable and enraging situations as a fat woman who is outspoken on social media – moulding her negative experiences with humour and perspective.  

A BUZZ WORD TO USE

“Mitron” ;)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known to address his audience as mitron (friends), and the usage of the word has become a subject of several spoofs.

And now, the word has found a place on Urban Dictionary! Check out how it’s been defined.