As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), Coastal Andhra Pradesh and North Tamil Nadu are expected to receive heavy rainfall on 16th and 17th December due to a severe cyclone Phethai which is heading towards coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The Deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal is moving northwestward and it could intensify and turn into a cyclonic storm. Earlier Cyclone Gaza caused massive destruction in Tamil Nadu coastal areas. This is the fourth cyclone to hit the eastern coast this season.

On December 11, 2018, the world’s first Floating Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) ‘Akademik Lomonosov’ became operational at the Baltiysky Zavod shipyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is constructed by the state nuclear power firm Rosatom.

Popular singers Shaan and Arijit Singhwere handed over the ‘Sangeet Mahasamman’ award constituted by the West Bengal government at the inaugural session of the Bengal music and folk culture festival in Kolkata

India’s first private Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or drone manufacturing facility has been inaugurated in Hyderabad

On December 13, 2018, as per notification of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), customers would be covered under standalone compulsory personal accident (CPA) from January 1, 2019. IRDAI introduced standalone PA cover where a single PA cover can be taken for multiple vehicles. Additionally, if an owner-driver has a 24 hour personal accident cover against Death and Permanent Disability (Total and Partial) for CSI of at least Rs 15 lakh, no separate CPA is necessary.

Miss Philippines Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe after she won the final round of the Miss Universe 2018 pageant, held in Bangkok, Thailand on December 17, 2018. Outgoing Miss Universe Demi Leigh Nel Peters from South Africa crowned her successor.

A community policing scheme named “Prahari’ was launched in southwest district of Delhi on 14th December 2018 with a view to prevent crime, and maintain law and order. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik launched the scheme — Prahari — under which civic personnel such as chowkidars and security guards, deployed in commercial and VIP areas, will act as the eyes and ears of the police for prevention of crime.

The Congress party has picked old guard Ashok Gehlot over Sachin Pilot as Chief Minister of Rajasthan. Pilot will be the deputy CM of Rajasthan and will also continue as the state Congress chief.

The Supreme Court on December 14, 2018 dismissed a group of petitions that demanded an independent probe into the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal, stating that it was satisfied with the procurement process. The bench reiterated that it wasn’t its job to examine minute financial details of the cost of the aircraft.

On December 12, 2018, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in its Monthly Oil Market Report predicted the global economic growth to be 3.7% for 2018 and 3.5% for 2019. The growth in the United States and in the Euro-zone remains unchanged, standing at 2.9 percent and 1.9 percent for 2018, and at 2.6 percent and 1.7 percent for 2019. It decreased forecast for Japan to 1.0 percent for 2018 and 1.1% for 2019. India‘s and China’s growth forecasts remain unchanged at 7.5 percent and 6.5 percent for 2018, and at 7.2 percent and 6.1 percent for 2019 respectively. Growth of Brazil also remains unchanged, standing at 1.1 percent for 2018 and at 1.8 percent for 2019.

India has recently signed an ascension pact to the 30-member Trans Regional Maritime Network (T-RMN) at Italian Naval Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The pact will give India the access to information on ships which pass through the Indian Ocean region that will greatly help the security forces in keeping a tab on any suspicious activity. The multilat (sic) construct comprises 30 countries & is steered by Italy. The IOR is India’s backyard and first respondent to any crisis situation. India already has bilateral White Shipping Agreements with 36 countries.

The Delhi High Court on December 12, 2018 directed that women should be honoured and treated with dignity at workplace and observed that employers must be considerate and sympathetic towards a pregnant employee.

On December 12, 2018, Ajay Tyagi, Chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced approval on various norms taken in its board meeting in Mumbai. In order to boost the start-up sector, SEBI made the listing process easier and renamed the Institutional Trading Platform as Innovators Growth Platform. The relaxation in norms are mainly aimed for e-commerce, data analytics, biotechnology and nanotechnology firms to raise funds through stock exchange listing.

Brijendra Pal Singh, who is the director-producer of the popular crime investigation series C.I.D., has been appointed as the new president of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Society and Chairman of Governing Council. He succeeded Anupam Kher, who had stepped down as the chairman in October 2018 citing “international commitments”. As per provisions of FTII rules, Singh’s tenure will be for the remaining period of block of three years starting from March 4 2017. Prior to being nominated as the new FTII chief, Singh was serving in the capacity of vice chairman of the FTII Governing Council.

To reduce floods and the riverbank erosion in Assam, India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) on December 13, 2018 signed a $60 million loan agreement. The Tranche 2 loan is part of the $120 million multi-tranche financing facility for the Assam Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program approved by the ADB Board in October 2010.

Home Ministry has launched a Twitter account to spread awareness about cybercrimes and normal precautions to be taken. The Twitter handle @CyberDost is aimed at enhancing people’s basic knowledge about cybercrimes and precautions to be taken for prevention.

India was ranked 11th out 56 nations & the European Union (EU) at the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI). The CCPI analysis shows that India has improved its standing by 3 places compared to the 2018 report.

On December 10, 2018, Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) India appointed former SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya as the new Chairman of its board. She will succeed former banker M. V. Nair who will step down after the completion of his 5-year tenure. Earlier in October 2018, Arundhati Bhattacharya was designated as an independent additional director on the board of Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd. She also had been elected as an advisor in the private equity firm ChrysCapital Advisors.

The Indian National Congress claimed majority in Chhattisgarh by winning 68 seats, followed by the BJP that won 15 seats, Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) with 5 seats and BSP with 2 seats. Counting of votes for the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2018 began on December 11, 2018.

Walmart India, the U.S. retail major, appointed Sameer Aggarwal as its Chief Business Officer. Mr.Sameer has been elevated from his position as EVP, chief strategy and administrative officer to the Chief Business Officer with immediate effect. Aggarwal will now lead strategy, merchandising, cost analytics, e-commerce, technology, marketing, and replenishment. Walmart India also appointed Anuj Singh as Head-Category Merchandising. The announcement followed after the resignation of Executive Vice-President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Devendra Chawla. Mr.Chawla had joined Walmart India in July last year from Future Consumer, a part of Kishore Biyani-led Future Group.