The UK's inflation rate fell more than expected to hit a 15-month low of 3.9% in November, buoyed by declining transport, recreation, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices. This marked the first monthly decline since September 2021 and undershot the 4.4% consensus forecast. Core inflation also hit a lower-than-anticipated 5.1% annually. The larger-than-forecast drop challenges the Bank of England's hawkish stance that rates need to stay elevated for longer to control inflation. Experts suggest easing pressures signal the BoE was too cautious on rate cuts as a weakening economy may compel policy loosening by autumn. The data brings relief on mounting cost of living woes after inflation hit a 41-year high of 11.1% in October.

Savitri Jindal, India's richest woman, experienced the highest net worth rise among Indians in the past year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Her fortune increased by $9.6 billion, bringing her total wealth to around $25 billion, surpassing Wipro's Azim Premji. In contrast, Mukesh Ambani, Asia's richest man, registered a rise of nearly $5 billion with his total wealth now at $92.3 billion. Jindal is chairperson of the OP Jindal Group running listed firms like JSW Steel, JSW Energy, and Jindal Stainless. Savitri Jindal's significant wealth growth positions her as the fifth-wealthiest individual in India, marking a remarkable financial ascent. Gautam Adani was the only Indian billionaire whose net worth dropped during this period, by $35.4 billion to $85.1 billion. But he remains the second-richest Indian after Ambani.

The IMF projected India's economy will expand 6.3% in the current and next fiscal year, backed by digital infrastructure and government capital spending. While lauding India's growth prospects, the IMF sees potential for even higher expansion with more reforms and greater labor participation. However, it pegged next year's growth lower than RBI's 7% forecast. The IMF expects inflation, driven by volatile food prices, to moderately decline toward the 4% target though it will remain rocky. Despite November inflation of 5.55% being within the 2-6% tolerance band, the IMF says price rises continue overshooting the mid-point target. It stressed India has room to unleash higher growth by implementing comprehensive reforms and unlocking more human capital.

Share prices of several JSW Group companies fell 1-2% on Monday after a rape complaint was registered against managing director Sajjan Jindal. As per the complainant, she first met Jindal in October 2021 and he started getting overly personal and forced himself on her after repeated unwanted advances. Jindal has denied the allegations and termed them false and baseless. He says he will provide full cooperation in the probe. The complaint was initially not registered by the BKC police station until ordered by a court. JSW Steel share prices were down 1.94%, JSW Holding by 1.63% by Monday afternoon following news of the complaint against the group's MD.

Tata Steel's Port Talbot site confronts discord as Unite union opposes a plan to cut 3,000 jobs, sparking tensions with Community and GMB unions. Unite, representing 4,000 steelworkers, rejects a joint decarbonization plan, urging the UK to double steel production by 2035. Unite's Sharon Graham emphasizes winning the green steel market and demands investment for job protection. The proposed £12 billion national investment aims to boost industry revenue. The report calls for British steel use in public contracts, projecting a £7 billion boost to the economy. Tata, engaged in talks, remains committed to greener steelmaking, but formal plans are pending.

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate has purchased a 50.5% share in news agency IANS India Pvt Ltd, marking the group's latest expansion into media. Adani Enterprises made the acquisition through its subsidiary AMG Media Networks Ltd, which operates the group's media properties including broadcaster NDTV. The deal's financial details remain undisclosed. IANS reported revenues of Rs 11.86 crore last fiscal year. AMNL will now appoint IANS's board and directors, taking operational and managerial control. The purchase grows Adani's growing media portfolio after last year's forays into digital outlet Quintillion and acquiring most NDTV shares.

The BSE Sensex achieved a historic milestone, crossing the 71,000 mark for the first time, with major gains from companies like Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and more. Market capitalization reached ₹357 lakh crore. The Sensex, launched in 1986, reflects India's financial health and has surged around 12,400 points in eight months. Asian markets also traded positively, while the US markets closed higher. This comes after the Sensex surpassed 70,000 earlier in the week, marking a continuous upward trend since March when it stood at 57,527. Nifty 50 also hit 20,000 in late November.            

The family of Nikhil Gupta, charged in the plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, seeks Supreme Court assistance. They claim Gupta's illegal detention in the Czech Republic and request intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs and Home Ministry. Gupta, held since June, alleges a political vendetta between the US and Indian governments. Procedural failures in the extradition proceedings are cited, including the absence of an arrest warrant and denial of basic rights. The Czech Ministry of Justice confirms Gupta's arrest at the US's request, accusing him of involvement in a 'murder for hire' plot targeting Pannun in the US.            

80 year old liquor tycoon Dr Lalit Khaitan has become India's newest billionaire, with his 40% stake in publicly traded alcohol group Radico Khaitan now valued at $1 billion after a 50% share price surge this year. Known for iconic brands like Magic Moments vodka and 8 PM whiskey, the Harvard-educated engineer from a traditional Marwari family never drank alcohol until inheriting his father's Rampur distillery business in 1972. Currently Radico Khaitan's Chairman boasting $380 million revenue, Dr Khaitan has spearheaded the company's rapid growth in tandem with India's booming liquor market. The lifelong teetotaler has received industry honors like the 2017 UPDA Lifetime Achievement Award for his pivotal role shaping the alcoholic beverage landscape.

Indian stock markets surged to new heights after the US Federal Reserve's commitment to unchanged interest rates and indications of an end to the rate tightening cycle by 2024. The BSE Sensex soared 935.95 points (1.35%) to an unprecedented 70,520.55, while the NSE Nifty 50 climbed 256.35 points (1.23%), hitting a record level of 21,182.7. Nifty IT led the gains, rising over 2.5%, with Nifty Bank and Nifty Financial Services up 1.7% each. Analysts project continued market expansion in 2024, fueled by positive global and domestic economic factors.