North Korea fires ICBMs that can hit DC, NYC

North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday that can reach the "whole" American mainland, in a bold act of defiance against US President Donald Trump after he put the country back on a list of state sponsors of terrorism. The latest launch drew swift global condemnation with Pyongyang's ally Beijing expressing "grave concern".

The Hwasong-15 missile, described by the state television as the country's "most powerful", was launched around 3 a.m. local time. It landed in Japanese waters but flew higher than any other missile the North had previously tested.

North Korea claimed the entire US mainland was within reach after "successfully" testing the missile that it claimed can carry a "super-large heavy warhead" to unprecedented heights of almost 4,500 kilometres.

State news agency KCNA said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally signed off on the launch of the missile that reached an altitude of 4,475 kilometre and flew 950 kilometre in 53 minutes.

The distance travelled appeared to be significantly greater than that of the two previous ICBMs, which flew for 37 minutes on July 4 and for 47 minutes on July 28.

Trump, together with his counterparts in South Korea and Japan and the UN Secretary General, condemned the launch. "We will take care of it," he told reporters at the White House, calling it a "situation we will handle".
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Benchmark, Menlo Ventures ready to sell some Uber stock: SoftBank

SoftBank Group-led team of investors has confirmed that they have found likely sellers for the tender offer for app-based cab aggregator, Uber's shares.

According to TechCrunch.com, Uber shares from existing shareholders will be sold at more than 30 per cent discount as compared to the last private round.

"SoftBank and Dragoneer have received indications from Benchmark, Menlo Ventures, and other early investors of their intent to sell shares in the tender offer. Any sales by these shareholders will be pursuant to the same terms and conditions as will be offered to all other eligible holders that participate in the tender offer," said a statement from SoftBank Group.

Moreover, Sequoia Capital, Tencent and TPG are also looking to invest in Uber.

Sequoia Capital had previously invested in Uber through its 'scout' programme, which involved covertly finding deal opportunities through its network.

Alfred Lin, a partner in Sequoia, also made an angel investment at the seed stage.

Today, Uber employees with at least 10,000 of vested shares will be eligible to sell.

Moreover, other Uber shareholders, which include venture capitalists, angel investors and former employees could also be eligible.
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S&P, Dow move higher as bank stocks climb again

The S&P 500 and the Dow indexes rose in morning trading on Wednesday as bank stocks added to gains following strong economic data and encouraging comments from Federal Reserve officials that sealed the case for a December rate increase.
JPMorgan climbed 1.9 percent and Bank of America rose 2.2 percent, making the S&P financial index the biggest gainer among S&P 500 sectors.

Fed chair nominee Jerome Powell said on Tuesday the case for a December rate hike was coming together and also hinted at lighter bank regulation, while Fed chair Janet Yellen said on Wednesday that a strengthening economy will warrant continued rate increases.

"Economic data has been very strong and the economy looks as good now as it ever has," said Randy Frederick, vice president of trading and derivatives for Charles Schwab in Austin, Texas.

The second revision of third-quarter gross domestic product showed growth increased at a 3.3 annual rate, up from the previously reported 3 percent.

The Fed's preferred gauge of inflation, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index excluding food and energy, rose 1.4 percent in the third quarter, in line with the forecast by economists polled by Reuters.

Investors are keeping a keen eye on progress on US tax bill. Senate Republicans on Tuesday rammed forward the bill, which corporate America is hoping will slash business tax rates, in an abrupt, partisan committee vote that set up a full vote by the Senate as soon as Thursday.
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Note ban shock over? Economic growth to end 5-quarter slide in Q2: Poll

Indian economic growth likely rebounded in the July-September quarter from the slowest growth in three years, with demand picking up modestly as the effects from a shock ban on high-value currency notes eased, a Reuters poll showed.

If that's correct, the data will be the latest evidence of a broad-based global economic upturn across Asia and most of the world that has many major central banks poised to move away from ultra-easy monetary policy.

India was the world's fastest-growing major economy in 2016. But already-slowing growth was made weaker by the surprise cash clampdown late in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which has hurt consumer spending ever since.

In July, the government introduced a goods and services tax that made sweeping changes to the way businesses across Asia's third largest economy charge taxes, delivering another blow to the economy.

But the Reuters poll of 52 economists over the past week showed gross domestic product growth likely rose to 6.4 percent from a year ago in the July-September quarter, from 5.7 percent in the previous period.

Israel, Egypt pushed US to bomb Iran before 2015 nuclear deal: John Kerry

Former Secretary of State John Kerry says both Israel and Egypt pushed the United States to "bomb Iran" before the 2015 nuclear deal was struck.

Kerry is defending the deal during a forum in Washington. He says kings and foreign presidents told the US that bombing was the only language Iran would understand. But Kerry says that was "a trap" in many ways because the same countries would have publicly criticised the US if it bombed.

Kerry says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "genuinely agitating toward action."

Kerry says he doesn't know whether Iran will resume pursuing a nuclear weapon in 10 to 15 years after restrictions in the deal sunset. But he says it was the best deal the US could get.
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N Korea fires most powerful missile toward Japan; can handle it, says Trump

North Korea on Wednesday fired a ballistic missile that landed into the Sea of Japan, the media reported citing officials.

The missile, believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the Pentagon based on initial assessments, was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea and flew roughly around 1,000 km before landing in the Sea of Japan, Fox News reported.

The missile flew east for about 53 minutes before landing off the north of Honshu, Japan's largest island, the New York Times reported.

The missile was fired high into the air, reaching a maximum altitude of over 4,500 km, in an arc similar to the North's two previous intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs, which were launched in July.

The distance travelled appeared to be significantly greater than that of the two previous ICBMs, which flew for 37 minutes on July 4 and for 47 minutes on July 28.

David Wright, a senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the missile performed better than the two fired in July, with a potential range of more than 12,000 km, able to reach Washington or any other part of the continental US.

"It's pretty impressive," Wright said of the test flight. "This is building on what they've done before. It's muscle-flexing to show the US that they're going to continue to make progress."
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Political attack? German Mayor Hollstein stabbed for sheltering refugees

A German Mayor known for his welcoming stance towards refugees has been seriously injured in a knife attack which authorities said was likely politically motivated.

Andreas Hollstein, the 54-year-old conservative Mayor of west German town of Altena, was stabbed in the neck at a kebab shop on Monday evening, the Independent reported.

The attacker, identified as a 56-year-old German man and described by local media as drunk, approached Hollstein and asked whether he was the town's Mayor before loudly criticizing his migrant policies and slicing his neck with a 30-centimetre blade.

The assailant was overpowered by people at the scene.

Hollstein was taken to the hospital but discharged the same day. "I was very lucky. I had some hands-on people by my side and am happy that I'm still alive," the Mayor told reporters on Tuesday.

Hollstein, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, gained national renown and won an award for his open migrant policies in Altena, often pushing to take in more people than required by official quotas.

According to the Mayor, before launching the attack his assailant said: "You're letting me die of thirst, but you bring 200 refugees to Altena."
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Saudi purge: Prince Miteb freed after $1 bn settlement, says official

Senior Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a leading contender to the throne, was freed after reaching an “acceptable settlement agreement” with authorities paying more than $1 billion, a Saudi official said on Wednesday.

Miteb, 65, son of the late King Abdullah and former head of the elite National Guard, was among dozens of royal family members, ministers and senior officials who were rounded up in a graft inquiry partly aimed at strengthening the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The official, who is involved in the anti-corruption campaign, said Miteb was released on Tuesday after reaching “an acceptable settlement agreement”. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed but the official said it is believed to be the equivalent of more than $1 billion.

“It is understood that the settlement included admitting corruption involving known cases,” the official said.

According to a Saudi official, Prince Miteb was accused of embezzlement, hiring ghost employees and awarding contracts to his own firms including a $10 billion deal for walkie-talkies and bulletproof military gear worth billions of Saudi riyals.

The allegations against the others included kickbacks, inflating government contracts, extortion and bribery.

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Bali volcano: Airport closed for third day as changes detected at Mt Agung

The international airport on the resort island of Bali will be closed for a third day, Indonesian officials said on Wednesday, as ash from a rumbling volcano poses a danger to planes.

"Bali's Ngurah Rai airport will remain closed until at least Thursday morning," airport spokesman Arie Ahsanurrohim told AFP.

Mount Agung, which looms over one of the world's top holiday spots, could produce a thunderous eruption at any moment, officials have warned, forcing the main airport to be shut since Monday.

Massive columns of thick grey smoke and ash that have been belching from the volcano since last week have now begun shooting high into the sky, forcing hundreds of flights to be grounded and stranding around 120,000 tourists.

Ash is dangerous for planes as it makes runways slippery and can be sucked into their engines.

Tens of thousand have already fled their homes around the volcano -- which last erupted in 1963, killing around 1,600 people -- but as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials have said.

There is a 10 kilometre exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometres away from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta.

Some 100 buses will haul stranded visitors to several destinations including Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya -- 13 hours' drive and a ferry ride away -- and the capital Jakarta, the airport said, as torrential rain lashed the beach paradise.

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Victoria becomes first Australian state to legalise voluntary euthanasia

An Australian state parliament has legalised voluntary euthanasia 20 years after the country repealed the world's first mercy-killing law for the terminally ill.

The final vote in the Victorian parliament today means that doctor-assisted suicide will be allowed in Australia's second-most populous state since mid-2019.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who became a euthanasia advocate after his father died of cancer last year, said the reform showed compassion.

Australia's sparsely populated Northern Territory in 1995 became the first jurisdiction in the world to legalise doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. But the Australian Parliament overturned that law in 1997 after four people had been helped to die.

The Australian Parliament does not have the same power to repeal the laws of states such as Victoria.
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North Korean ballistic missile lands in the Sea of Japan: US

North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile which flew about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, the US said on Wednesday.

This is the first such launch in two months which comes just a week after the US slapped fresh sanctions on the reclusive nation and declared it a state sponsor of terrorism.

The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a North Korean missile launch today at about 1:17 pm EDT. Initial assessment indicates that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Pentagon Spokesman Col Rob Manning said in a statement.

"The missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and travelled about 1000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, within Japan's Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ)," Manning said, adding that the Pentagon is working with its interagency partners on a more detailed assessment of the launch.

He, however, said that the missile launch did not pose any threat to the US or its allies.

"The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies," Manning said.
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Indian-American lawmakers, activists attack Ajit Pai on net neutrality

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Ajit Pai has come under a blistering attack of several Indian-American lawmakers for his proposal to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality policy.

Pai is facing backlash for his proposal which seeks to reverse Obama-era net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers.

The activists also protested outside Pai's home in Virginia with signs directing at his children.

Pai, 44, blasted the activists for "harassing" his family members, saying they "crossed the line".

He is facing backlash from his opponents for his proposal which seeks to reverse Obama era's net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers.

His proposal would end net neutrality and give big Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon broad powers to determine what website should reach out to subscribers faster than others.

The activists not only staged protest outside Pai's home with signs directing at his children, they also reportedly sent pizzas to his home every half-and-hour. Some media reports said the frequency was every 15 minutes.
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Rohingya crisis: Foreign parliaments are not powerless to help the refugees

As the pope made a high profile visit to Myanmar in late November, attention turned to how to help the thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have fled their homes to Bangladesh following violence and what UN officials have described as ethnic cleansing. A deal struck between the two countries to start returning the refugees, has been criticised for going against international refugee law.

Western politicians have also travelled to Myanmar and Bangladesh to witness the crisis in recent months. In September, the British foreign office minister Mark Field travelled to Rakhine state, the centre of the violence. Members of the US senate also travelled there in November. The British Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan, a doctor, then travelled to Bangladesh to work in a refugee camp there.

We believe that parliaments in foreign countries, such as those in Europe, can contribute to a resolution of the Rohingya crisis. Many parliaments have the authority and power to shape government policy. Governments such as Myanmar’s are sensitive to foreign opinions. The British and Dutch governments have, for instance, facilitated extensive business investments in the water management infrastructure of Myanmar – and it is not in the country’s interest to lose them. A forceful call from parliaments in Europe could strengthen the existing condemnation by European governments that violence towards the Rohingya population has consequences for Myanmar’s future relations with European countries.
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Pope Francis calls for justice, respect in Myanmar; avoids Rohingya issue

Pope Francis called for respect for rights and justice in a keenly-watched address in Myanmar today, but refrained from any mention of the Rohingya, or allegations of ethnic cleansing that has driven huge numbers of the Muslim minority from the country.

Sharing a stage with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyidaw, he did not address the Rohingya crisis head-on, instead of tip-toeing around the unfolding humanitarian emergency.

Peace can only be achieved through "justice and a respect for human rights", he said in a broadly-framed speech that also called for "respect for each ethnic group and its identity".

The word "Rohingya", an incendiary term in a mainly Buddhist country where the Muslim minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal "Bengali" immigrants, was entirely absent from his speech.

Francis has repeatedly defended the group, some 620,000 of whom have fled to Bangladesh since August. Rights groups had urged him to tackle Myanmar on its treatment of the minority during his four-day visit.

Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid response to the plight of the Rohingya.

She spoke of the challenges her country faces as it creeps out of the shadow of five decades of military rule, but also did not reference the Rohingya.
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CPEC is source of prosperity for Pakistan: New Chinese envoy

Newly-appointed Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing said the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a source of prosperity for Pakistan and the rest of the region.

He stated this at the third CPEC media forum jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy here and the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), according to a statement by PCI.

Yao said CPEC was a major priority for the Chinese leadership, and he would put in his best efforts to get it implemented in a letter and spirit.

The envoy expressed pleasure that CPEC's implementation was being fast-tracked and said he was confident that the people of Pakistan would be the major beneficiary of this initiative.

"It is also a source of prosperity and peace for the entire region, CPEC's ownership goes to the people of Pakistan and its other stakeholders," he said.

Yao spoke about the important role of the media, noting that Pakistani media has always been positive towards China.

He proposed that the media representatives should be invited to visit CPEC projects, enabling them to see themselves its implementation process and socio-economic impact on the local people.

He assured that he would have regular interaction with the media to seek support in carrying forward their collaborative socio-economic partnership.
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S Durga movie: After marathon meeting, IFFI jury puts ball in I&B's court

Guarded by muscled bouncers and an armed police picket, IFFI's Indian Panorama panel jury on Monday claimed to have decided the fate of Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's film "S Durga", but the panel's acting head Rahul Rawail said that the jury's decision would be formally conveyed by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry to the Kerala High Court.

Reacting to the development, Sasidharan said that the prolonged delay amounted to the mockery of the judicial orders and that the aim of the IFFI organisers was to ensure that the film was not screened at the festival, which ends on Tuesday.

Emerging for a brief while out of the more than five-hour long meeting of the jury at the Kala Academy here, Rawail spoke briefly to the media, claiming he could not elaborate on the issue, as the matter was "sub judice".

"The matter has been given to the Information and Broadcasting ministry, which will hand over to the Court and the order will come from the Court," he told reporters, adding that the jury had arrived at a decision during the meeting.

A jury member speaking on condition of anonymity, however, said, that a majority of the jury had voted in favour of the film to be screened at the festival.

Asked about the new members, directors Satish Kaushik, Vivek Agnihotri and Editor-in-Chief of Zee News Sudhir Chaudhary, appointed to the jury, Rawail said: "The matter is sub judice."
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PM Modi to inaugurate Hyderabad Metro Rail project today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today inaugurate the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, touted as the world's largest public-private partnership (PPP) in the sector.

Commercial operations of the Metro project will begin November 29, Hyderabad Metro Rail officials said.

The project has overcome many hurdles such as default by the first concessionaire Maytas Infra-led consortium and subsequent developments, crucial land acquisition by the state government and logjam for sometime over route alignment, among others.

Here is the timeline of the project.

May 2007 : Formation of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited.

September 2008: Concession Agreement signed between Andhra Pradesh Government (undivided) and Maytas Metro Ltd (MML).

July 2009: Termination of CA with MML and invoking of Bank Guarantee for Rs 60 crore (plus Rs 11 crore).

July 2010: Financial Bids (RFP) opened for the second time.

September 2010: Concession Agreement signed with LTMRHL (L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited).

January 2011: Allotment of 104 acres of land at Uppal.
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AAP calls I-T's Rs 30 cr tax notice 'bogus'; BJP, Cong demand explanation

Dubbing an Income Tax Department's Rs 30.67 crore tax notice as "bogus" and "vindictive", the AAP on Monday said it was being targeted by different government agencies and that it had maintained the record of every donation.

"The I-T Department has declared the complete amount of donations we received as illegal and has put it under the category of taxable income although we have maintained the records of each paisa that we received from donors," AAP Treasurer Deepak Bajpai told the media.

The I-T notice said the AAP had not disclosed income of Rs 13.16 crore and that its total taxable income calculated by it was Rs 68.44 crore for fiscal 2014-15 and 2015-16 and that the money received as donation in its bank was not recorded in the account books.

The notice also said that the Aam Aadmi Party had not recorded full details of 461 donors who had given a total of Rs 6.26 crore, each donation amount exceeding Rs 20,000.

The AAP was also accused of not disclosing the donations in its web site.

Bajpai dismissed the charges, saying the party had been keeping and maintaining books of accounts and other documents (of contribution in excess of Rs 20,000) under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act.

"We have been submitting reports to the Election Commission about the donations received as per the law," he said.
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'An excited' Ivanka Trump reaches Hyderabad for GES 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump will be inaugurating and addressing the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad today. Speaking a day ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), Ivanka Trump said, "as the world's largest democracies... there is much we can and should do together. We share common priorities, including promoting economic growth and reform, fighting terrorism, and expanding security cooperation."

In an interview with TOI, Ivanka, adviser to the US President said, "In September, I had the honour of meeting with foreign minister Swaraj in New York City during the UN General Assembly. I shared with her that I have long admired India's history and culture, and my hope for continued progress, particularly as it relates to women. I look forward to continuing this conversation with Prime Minister Modi. I'm excited for my visit and hope to be back soon to see more of India."

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant called for providing greater impetus to women entrepreneurs, as this would be critical for India's growth.

"The summit comes at a time when the government is working on several initiatives to empower women in India, such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and others. This summit will witness women taking center stage in all fronts, including panel discussions. This summit has a majority of women participation (52.5percent), with over 10 countries being led by all-women delegation," Kant said at a joint press conference with US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster.
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SoftBank may have offered to buy Uber shares at a 30% discount

Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp is offering to purchase shares of Uber Technologies Inc at a valuation of $48 billion, a 30 percent discount to its most recent valuation of $68.5 billion, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday.

A second person said the amount was in line with what investors had been expecting. SoftBank is also expected to make a separate $1 billion investment in the company at the $68.5 billion valuation.

Bloomberg reported the offer price earlier on Monday.

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Hollywood meets royalty: Actor Markle to wed Prince Harry; Charles thrilled

Britain’s Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle announced on Monday they were getting married next year, saying their relationship had blossomed “incredibly quickly” after meeting on a blind date.

Harry, 33, Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and fifth-in-line to the British throne, and Markle, 36, best known for her role in the US TV legal drama “Suits”, said they had got engaged in London this month and will wed in the spring next year.

“The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned, everything was just perfect. This beautiful woman just tripped and fell into my life, I fell into her life,” Harry said in a broadcast interview.

The queen, who had to give her assent for the union, and her husband Prince Philip were delighted, Buckingham Palace said, while Harry also received the blessing of Markle’s parents.

“We’re thrilled. I hope they will be very happy indeed,” his father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles said.

Harry and Markle, who is a divorcee, met in July 2016 after they were introduced through a mutual friend, with both knowing little about the other.
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Infosys plans to set up design hub in Rhode Island, recruit 500 Americans

Global software major Infosys on Monday said it would hire 500 Americans in US' Rhode Island state in the next 5 years.

"We will hire 500 American workers in Rhode Island over the next 5 years where a design and innovation hub will be set up in multi-year partnership with its state,a said the city-based $10 billion firm in a statement here.

Welcoming the IT firm, Governor Raimondo said the people were equipped and prepared to compete for the Infosys jobs.

"Infosys joins a growing local market of innovative, advanced industry firms that have chosen to plant a flag in Rhode Island where we have invested in higher education and job training," he said.

The hiring in Rhode Island is part of the company's announcement on May 2 to recruit 10,000 Americans by setting up four such hubs across the US to focus on new technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, user experience, emerging digital technologies, cloud and big data.

"The partnership with Rhode Island marks another important step for us in the US, as the state's educational institutions, design-rich environment and economic development tools have positioned it competitively," said Infosys President Ravi Kumar, as per the statement.

The new hires will include designers, design architects, specialists in information design and experts to accelerate the digital transformation of the company's clients in the area.

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Volcano erupts in Bali; Indonesia shuts airport, 100,000 left stranded

Indonesia’s transportation ministry said on Tuesday it will extend the closure of Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for a further 24 hours because of ash from the eruption of the island’s Mount Agung volcano.

A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that “aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash” the ministry said in a statement.

Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from the volcano, will be closed until 7 a.m. local time on November 29, it said.

Ten alternative airports have been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighboring provinces.

A separate notice showed Lombok airport had been reopened, after an earlier closure overnight due to the eruption.

Agung rises majestically over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet).

On Monday, authorities ordered 100,000 residents living near the volcano to evacuate immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be “imminent”. An 8-10 km (5-6 miles) exclusion zone has been imposed around the summit.

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Trump mockingly tells media to compete for 'Fake News Trophy'

US President Donald Trump today slammed the allegedly biased news coverage of his administration, saying the media - except for Fox News - should compete for the "Fake News Trophy".

"We should have a contest as to which of the networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favourite President (me)," Trump said on Twitter.

"They are all bad. Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY!" Trump wrote on his account which he uses daily to communicate with his large support base.

Trump returned to the White House last night after spending the Thanksgiving weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

He also said he is now focusing on the tax cut bill, which once passed by the Congress would bring in massive tax relief to the middle class.

"The Tax Cut Bill is coming along very well, great support. With just a few changes, some mathematical, the middle class and job producers can get even more in actual dollars and savings and the pass-through provision becomes simpler and really works well!" he said.
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How Tom Szaky makes money off your cigarette butt and flip-flops

In ’s vision of the new economy, nothing is garbage. Not cigarette butts. Not dirty diapers. Not even used tampons.

Szaky, the founder of TerraCycle, a New Jersey-based garbage startup, has built a $24 million business around the belief that everything is recyclable. He’s convinced some of the world’s largest brands and retailers, including Procter & Gamble Co, Colgate-Palmolive  and Office Depot, that there’s value in spending to keep garbage out of landfills.

Now he’s seeking millions to help fund a bigger mission: making trash the star of a circular economy, where re-use is the norm. Inspired by the glass milk-bottle porch deliveries of yesteryear, he’s creating a durable consumer-recycling system. Think shampoo encased in gleaming stainless-steel capsules, ice cream packaged in thermos-like containers, coffee sealed in metal pods instead of plastic — all the packages to be carted off, sanitised, deconstructed and used again.

Szaky, 35, says major brand names have already signed on. He’ll unveil them at the World Economic Forum, the annual gathering of the world’s problem solvers every January — but in 2019, not 2018. First, he needs to appeal to the environmentally conscious mom-and-pop masses and raise as much as $25 million through a kind of pre-initial public offering .

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After ICJ defeat, Britain replaces UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft

Britain today appointed Karen Pierce as its new Ambassador to the UN, replacing incumbent Matthew Rycroft under whom it suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of India in the recent election to the International Court of Justice.

Pierce is the first woman appointed to this role, and is uniquely suited for the position having previously served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, and more recently as the Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, the UK Mission to the UN said in a statement.

Britain's Permanent Mission to the United Nations did not give any reason for appointing Pierce as new ambassador to the world body, which comes days after it failed to get its judge Christopher Greenwood elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after India's Judge Dalveer Bhandari consistently received nearly two-third of the votes in the UN General Assembly.

Bhandari was on Tuesday re-elected to the ICJ as the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly threw its weight behind him, forcing Britain to withdraw its candidate from the hard- fought race to the world court.

This is for the first time in 70 years that Britain would have no judge in the 15-member panel of the ICJ.
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Greece flash floods death toll climbs to 22

Greek authorities say they have found one more body in an area near Athens afflicted by deadly floods this month, raising the total death toll to 22.

The Fire Brigade says the man's body was found buried in mud near a bus station in the small town of Mandra, west of Athens, that suffered the brunt of the November 15 flash floods.

It was not immediately clear whether the victim found Monday was the one person listed as missing following the floods.

Officials blamed the disaster one of Greece's deadliest floods in decades on poor town planning and insufficient flood prevention measures, as much of the afflicted area had been built on filled-in torrent beds.

The floods damaged about 1,000 buildings.
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Trump redoubles support for alleged sexual harasser for Alabama Senate race

President Donald Trump on Sunday redoubled his support for embattled Senate candidate Roy Moore, ignoring the sexual harassment allegations plaguing the ex-Alabama judge's campaign, even as Democrats moved to address harassment concerns afflicting their own party.

In an early-morning tweet, Trump said that Moore's rival in the Alabama race for a Senate seat, Democrat Doug Jones, was weak on crime, the military and immigration. For Alabamians to support him in next month's special election, the president said, "would be a disaster!".

Many members of Trump's Republican Party have withdrawn support for Moore, who is now 70, following multiple allegations that while in his 30s he molested or harassed teenage girls as young as 14.

But allegations of sexual harassment have plagued both of America's main political parties in recent weeks.

Democrat John Conyers, a celebrated civil rights leader who is the longest-serving member of Congress, announced he was stepping down from a leadership position as he battles similar claims.
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With Islamabad under siege, Pakistani Law Minister Zahid Hamid resigns

Pakistan's Law Minister Zahid Hamid has tendered his resignation following the deadly clashes across the country between police and protesters belonging to hardline religious groups, the state broadcaster said on Monday.

The protesters had staged a sit-in in the capital for about three weeks demanding the removal of Hamid for changes in a law related to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (finality of prohpethood) oath in the Elections Act 2017. They alleged the action undermined Islamic beliefs and linked it to blasphemy.

Hamid, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, presented his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to bring the country "out of a state of crisis", Radio Pakistan reported.

The resignation came as part of an agreement reached between the government and the protesters overnight. The deal came after a two-day face-off in Islamabad and other parts of the country between protesters and security forces that saw at least six people killed and hundreds injured. 
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US Congressman quits House Judiciary Committee amid sexual harassment probe

United States Democratic congressman John Conyers has stepped down as ranking member of House Judiciary Committee while sexual harassment and workplace abuse allegations are investigated.

"After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters," CNN reported, citing Conyers as saying in a statement.

However, Conyers has denied the accusations.

"I deny these allegations, many of which were raised by documents reportedly paid for by a partisan alt-right blogger," the statement added.

A staff member alleges she was fired for refusing to "succumb to sexual advances" from the Michigan Democrat.

As a result of these allegations, the-88-year-old faces a House Ethics Committee probe.

Reports say that he had paid 27,000 dollars (20,000 pounds) in 2015 in exchange for the confidentiality of a former staff member who alleged she was fired for rejecting sexual advances.

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Pope Francis heads to Myanmar, Bangladesh; hopes to soothe Rohingya pain

Pope Francis set off on his 21st and possibly most delicate overseas trip yet, a six-day visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh against the backdrop of the unfolding Rohingya refugee crisis.

The 80-year-old pontiff's plane left Rome en route for Yangon, Myanmar's main city, shortly after 2100 GMT.

He will touch down around 0700 GMT on  hoping to encourage efforts to contain a crisis that has seen many of the Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority in the mostly Buddhist Myanmar, forced from their homes and left languishing in squalid refugee camps over the border in Bangladesh.

"I ask you to be with me in prayer so that, for these peoples, my presence is a sign of affinity and hope," Francis told 30,000 believers in St Peter's Square, shortly before packing his bags for the diplomatically fraught trip.

Some 620,000 Rohingya, more than half their total number, have fled from Myanmar's Rakhine state to Bangladesh since August as a result of violence that the UN and the United States have described as ethnic cleansing.

Aides say Francis will seek to encourage reconciliation, dialogue and further efforts to alleviate the crisis following last week's tentative agreement between the two countries to work towards a return of some of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
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Not end of the world if Brexit is not followed by EU trade deal: WTO chief

The head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Sunday said it would not be "the end of the world" if Britain failed to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, but there would be costs.

Roberto Azevedo told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper that although Britain would be better off with an agreement, the impact of falling back on WTO rules would be "manageable".

"About half of the UK's trade is already on WTO terms -- with the US, China and several large emerging nations where the EU doesn't have trade agreements," he said.

"So it's not the end of the world if the UK trades under WTO rules with the EU."

Britain intends to leave the EU's single market and customs union when it withdraws from the bloc in March 2019, but hopes to reach a free trade agreement (FTA) with Brussels before then.

However, trade talks have yet to formally start, and without a deal, bilateral trade would likely be subject to higher WTO tariffs as well as other barriers such as increased red tape.

"If you don't have a fully functioning FTA with the EU, there could be rigidities and costs -- but it's not like trade between the UK and EU is going to stop," Azevedo said.

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Imam who survived Egypt bombing vows to return to mosque and finish sermon

The young Egyptian imam who survived the Sinai mosque massacre that killed 305 people vowed today from his hospital bed to go back and resume the sermon he never finished.

Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 26, was delivering the Friday sermon at the North Sinai Rawda mosque when blasts erupted.

"I was only two minutes into my sermon when I heard two explosions outside the mosque, and then I saw worshippers running in horror," he said.

"Then people entered the mosque and began firing at everyone who was still standing," the preacher said from his hospital bed in the Nile Delta town of Al-Husayniya.

Abdel Fattah -- who has been imam for two years at the Rawda mosque frequented by Sufis -- said his sermon on that tragic day was about "Mohammed, the prophet of humanity".

The imam fell from the raised minbar, or pulpit, when the attack broke out and was trampled by worshippers who tried to flee the carnage.

And when he hit the ground, people stepped over him, before the bodies of those shot by the attackers piled on top of him, pinning him down and preventing him from lifting his head to see what was going on.

"As soon as the shooting started I fell. I didn't see or feel anything except for the two or three bloodied bodies that fell on top of me," he said.
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Tripura journalists murder: Why is Sarkar not ordering CBI probe, asks BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra demanded CBI probe in the murder of two journalists, Santanu Bhowmik and Sudip Dutta Bhowmik in Tripura.

Patra, who arrived here on Saturday, is on a two-day visit to the state, where he will interact with party workers and locals to learn about the present law and order situation in the state.

"Why this double standard, if Chief Minister Manik Sarkar could demand for CBI probe in the murder of Bangalore-based journalist Gauri Lankesh why he is not proposing for it in the murders of two journalists who are son of the soil, is you because as people are suspecting that you are involved in them?" asked Patra, while addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here.

Tipura is seeing agitation from journalists after two journalists were killed in a span of two months time.

Patra further alleged that there have been efforts to cover up the murder of Sudip Dutta Bhowmik right from the beginning because "Sudip might be having some documents, publishing which the Chief Minister would face the consequences."

The BJP leader also said Manik Sarkar has "blessed and given coverage" to those who have murdered the journalist, which is why the culprits are bold enough to commit such heinous crime.
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Done more than any '10 month President', US economy booming: Donald Trump

In a yet another gloating bid, United States President Donald Trump boasted about his administration's progress, saying that he has 'the economy booming' and that he has 'possibly done more than any 10 month President.'

"Since the first day I took office, all you hear is the phony Democrat excuse for losing the election, Russia, Russia, Russia. Despite this I have the economy booming and have possibly done more than any 10 month President. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump tweeted.

Trump's tweet comes in the backdrop of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, reported the Hill.

The President's tweet also comes as he returns to Washington after spending his Thanksgiving holiday at the 'winter White House,' Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump is expected to visit Capitol Hill on Tuesday ahead of a possible vote on tax reform this week.
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New Islamic military alliance will wipe out terrorists: Saudi crown prince

Saudi Arabia's assertive crown prince on Sunday opened the first high-level meeting of a kingdom-led alliance of Muslim nations against terrorism, vowing that extremists will no longer "tarnish our beautiful religion."

Mohammed bin Salman's words come as the Islamic State group, which sparked the creation of the alliance, has been driven out of Iraq and lost its self-described capital in Syria.

However, the alliance doesn't include Iran, Iraq or Syria, while member nation Qatar sent no one to attend the one-day Riyadh gathering amid a diplomatic standoff between Doha and four Arab nations led by the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia announced the alliance in December 2015, when the crown prince was still only the kingdom's defence minister.

Since then, his father King Salman has elevated the 32- year-old prince to be next in line for the throne in the oil- rich kingdom. The crown prince also recently put a number of wealthy princes, businessmen, military leaders and others under arrest over corruption allegations at various luxury hotels in Riyadh.

The alliance initially announced with 34 nations, now includes 41, according to the Saudi government. Addressing the defence ministers and other high-ranking officials, Crown Prince Mohammed said today's meeting sends "a strong signal that we are going to work together and coordinate together to support each other."
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AutoMobility LA: Carmakers struggle with the future in Los Angeles

Car manufacturers' attempts to square what US consumers want against the clean vehicles regulators and investors demand will be on display in Los Angeles this week at an auto show that has moved away from calling itself just an auto show.

Automakers on Monday will begin previewing new models for the media at an event called AutoMobility LA, reflecting an emphasis on digital technology and new ways to get around, such as self-driving cars. On Friday, the Los Angeles Auto Show will open to the public for 10 days, attracting visitors from one of the world's most affluent and culturally influential metropolitan markets.

For now, self-driving cars are not ready for consumers, and sales of the battery-powered vehicles demanded by California regulators remain marginal and money-losing. Profits are generated by gasoline-fueled sport utility vehicles and trucks.

Automakers caught between the petroleum past and the digital future will send muddled messages.

Volkswagen AG will try to replace memories of the diesel emissions cheating scandal that tarnished its image with many California customers by promoting its $40 billion waves of electric vehicles.

In the next breath, the German automaker will tout its gasoline-fueled Audi A8 large luxury sedan, which can pilot itself under limited circumstances but is out of step with a market where buyers are switching to sport utility vehicles.

Rivals overshadowed by electric vehicle pioneer Tesla Inc are in a quandary, too. Despite a booming stock market, sales for luxury brands BMW, Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz and Toyota Motor Corp's Lexus are down for the first 10 months of 2017.
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Syria attacks: Atleast 20 civilians killed in Damascus

At least 20 civilians were killed in attacks coordinated by the Syrian regime in Eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus on Sunday.

According to the Anadolu Agency, the attacks were targetted at the Opposition-held residential neighbourhoods of Douma, Misraba, Ein Tarma, Medeira and Harasta.

The sources said 13 civilians, including three children, were killed in Misraba, five people, including a child, were killed in Medeira and two others in Douma.

However, the death toll may rise as scores of people got injured in the attacks.

Last week, at least 12 civilians were killed in shelling by the Assad regime forces in Damascus on Saturday.

According to a Syrian civil defense source, Madyara, Haresta, Arbin, Hamuriyyah, Zamalka and Hazze regions were hit in the shelling.

A number of people also got injured, who were later rushed to the nearby medical facility.

A civil defence report has claimed that at least 45 civilians have lost their lives due to Syrian regime's intense attacks on Eastern Ghouta between November 14-17.
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AAP govt or Centre cannot fix Delhi Metro fares; there's panel for it: Puri

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday that the decision to hike the price of Delhi Metro was taken by the fare fixation committee and neither the Delhi government nor the Central government has authority to decide.

"When fare is increased, its impact is studied by taking in account data of at least two to three months. Neither Delhi government nor the Central government has authority to decide fares of Delhi Metro, only fare fixation committee can do that," he told ANI.

According to an RTI reply, over three lakh commuters stopped taking Delhi Metro in October after the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) increased the passenger fare for the second time this year.

As part of the two phase revision of Metro fares recommended by the committee, the fare would remain Rs. 10 for the first 2 km but will subsequently increase by Rs. 10 in each slab, going up to a maximum of Rs. 60.

The metro fares were last revised in May when the minimum tariff was raised from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10.

The revised fare structure is: up to 2 km - Rs. 10, 2-5 km - Rs. 20, 5-12 km - Rs. 30, 12-21 km - Rs. 40, 21-32 km - Rs. 50 and for journeys beyond 32 km - Rs. 60.
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ED slaps Rs 1k-cr Fema notice on NRI businessman Thampi over land deal

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to NRI businessman C C Thampi for alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to the tune of Rs 1000 crore.

Earlier, the ED had booked Thampi under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with alleged wrongful approval for an engineering college in Thrissur by All India Council for Technical Education in 2009.

Thampi is the chairman of Holiday Group whose businesses extend across India and UAE.

According to the ED's earlier revelations, Thampi was accused of buying huge tracts of land via Foreign Direct Investment.

Following that there was also a look-out circular issued against him, after which Thampi had approached the Kerala High Court with a plea to revoke the circular.
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Courts cannot force a husband to keep his wife; it's human relationship: SC

The Supreme Court has said that courts cannot force a husband to "keep his wife" as it asked a man, a pilot by profession, to deposit Rs 10 lakh as interim maintenance for his estranged wife and upkeep of their son.

The apex court restored the bail order of the Madras High Court which was cancelled after the husband refused to comply with the compromise agreement.

"We cannot force a husband to keep his wife. It's a human relationship. You (man) deposit Rs 10 lakh with the trial court which will be withdrawn by the wife unconditionally to meet her immediate requirement," a bench of justices Adarsh Goel and U U Lalit said.

When the counsel appearing for the man said that the amount be reduced, the bench said that apex court is not a family court and no negotiations can be held.

"If you agree to deposit Rs 10 lakh immediately, the bail order would be restored," the bench said.

The counsel then agreed to deposit Rs 10 lakh but sought some time.

"We are inclined to restore the order of bail in view of the statement made on behalf of the petitioner that the petitioner will deposit a sum of Rs 10 lakh with the trial court within a period of four weeks," the bench said.

It said that the amount may be withdrawn by the wife unconditionally, so that she can meet immediate requirements for herself and the child.
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Nepal begins historic vote; army on alert after a series of small blasts

Nepalis began voting for a new parliament on Sunday with the army on alert as a series of small blasts blamed on a rogue Maoist group reminded the Himalayan nation of the violence and instability it is hoping to leave behind.

More than decade after the end of a civil war between Maoist peasant guerrillas, Nepal is hoping this election - the first parliamentary polls since 1999 - will complete its long journey from a monarchy to becoming a federal republic.

A second phase of the election will take place on Dec. 7, and the election commission has said that the final results probably won't be known for several days because of the cumbersome counting procedures.

A Maoist splinter group was behind a series of small blasts in the run up to the polls, and security forces have defused around 30 improvised explosive devices since Friday, army spokesman Nain Raj Dahal said.

Suresh Balsami was the first voter at Kagatigaun polling centre near the capital Kathmandu.

"I voted for peace, development and prosperity of the country,” said the 32-year-old bus driver as other voters began to trickle in.

Nepal voted in 2008 and 2013 for a Constituent Assembly, which doubled as parliament, to write a post-monarchy charter that plotted the course to becoming a federal republic.
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Courts cannot force a husband to keep his wife; it's human relationship: SC

The Supreme Court has said that courts cannot force a husband to "keep his wife" as it asked a man, a pilot by profession, to deposit Rs 10 lakh as interim maintenance for his estranged wife and upkeep of their son.

The apex court restored the bail order of the Madras High Court which was cancelled after the husband refused to comply with the compromise agreement.

"We cannot force a husband to keep his wife. It's a human relationship. You (man) deposit Rs 10 lakh with the trial court which will be withdrawn by the wife unconditionally to meet her immediate requirement," a bench of justices Adarsh Goel and U U Lalit said.

When the counsel appearing for the man said that the amount be reduced, the bench said that apex court is not a family court and no negotiations can be held.

"If you agree to deposit Rs 10 lakh immediately, the bail order would be restored," the bench said.

The counsel then agreed to deposit Rs 10 lakh but sought some time.

"We are inclined to restore the order of bail in view of the statement made on behalf of the petitioner that the petitioner will deposit a sum of Rs 10 lakh with the trial court within a period of four weeks," the bench said.

It said that the amount may be withdrawn by the wife unconditionally, so that she can meet immediate requirements for herself and the child.

"The said amount will be subject to adjustment in any future proceedings. The parties are free to reach mutual settlement for rehabilitation, as was earlier proposed. Accordingly, the order of bail will stand restored subject to above stipulations," the court said.
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From 26/11 in Mumbai to 9/11 in New York: Why large nations lose small wars

Nine years ago today, India got its own 9/11. The 26/11 attack was neither the first nor the most damaging. The 1993 bombings killed nearly 100 more people. Nor the most provocative. The 2001 parliament attack mobilised two nuclear armies. But the 26/11 attacks were etched into our collective psyche because it met all the requirements of a textbook terror attack. Nearly a decade later, we have achieved some tactical capacity but ironically may have become more vulnerable strategically.

At its essence, terror is an instrument of war, designed to exert compellence far disproportionate to the size or conventional ability of the attacker. Terrorism has never been about absolute body counts. It has always been about creating shock and awe to accentuate the helplessness of the state. That is how a nation one-sixth of our economy can engage with us in conflict over decades. And while the principles of this instrument have remained unchanged over centuries, its execution has evolved too rapidly for the state machinery, creating a paradox wherein large nations end up losing small wars.

The classical model of state security demarcates threats and responses into structured compartments. So the armed forces deal with external threats and police with internal. There is one agency to deal with external intelligence and another to deal with internal. Such structured approaches work well when dealing with insurgents or militant organisations whose tactics are derived from a similar military lineage, but collapse when confronted with asymmetric thinking and formless structures. Let’s understand this with 26/11.
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Donald Trump as person of the year: US Prez mistaken, says TIME magazine

Time Magazine said on Saturday that US President Donald Trump is mistaken about how it chooses its Person of the Year, after he said that he turned down the honour when the publication told him he would probably be its pick.

The magazine answered the president a few hours later, also on Twitter: "The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. TIME does not comment on our choice until publication, which is December 6

Trump was named Person of the Year by TIME in December 2016.

"It means a lot...I consider this a very, very great honor," the magnate said at the time.

The magazine awarded this honor to the president-elect for his "revolution" against the political establishment and his growing influence on world events following his unexpected victory in the November 2016 elections against the favorite, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

According to TIME, Trump's win in the elections represented a "long-overdue rebuke to an entrenched and arrogant governing class" and reflected the powerful rise of populism worldwide.
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Egypt mosque attack: Toll in firing by gunmen waving IS flags climbs to 305

The death toll in a terrorist attack on a mosque on Friday in Egypt's North Sinai has risen to 305 killed, including 27 children, and 128 others were wounded, state news agency MENA reported on Saturday.

"The attackers of the mosque were carrying the Islamic State flag," MENA quoted the statement of the country's general prosecutor as saying.

"Some 25-30 militants have gunned down the worshippers while performing the Friday prayer," it added.

The attack took place after the mosque's preacher started his speech, when the terrorists threw bombs from the windows and doors of the mosque, besieging the worshippers inside, the statement said.

Later, some masked men, carrying black flags reading "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet," broke into the mosque with automatic weapons, it added.

Long queues of the victims' relatives were laid on the ground, some covered with blankets, outside the Suez Canal Hospital in Ismailia.

"My 23-years old nephew, Amir, who was working as a nurse has passed away in the attack," said Samy Mohammed, who came from Delta Menoufia province to get the license of burying Amir said.

The father of Amir, Magdy, a 45 year-old teacher has also wounded in the attack by three bullets, two in his leg and one in his right arm, Mohammed told Xinhua.
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News Digest: Hard time for Tata Nano, robust FPI inflows, and more

India-focused funds continue to see robust inflows
After sharp outflows in August and September, the Indian market is once again experiencing a positive investment spell from overseas investors. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have poured nearly $3 billion into domestic stocks since August. A large part of these flows have come from India-focused offshore funds. These are actively managed funds that exclusively invest in select Indian securities, unlike exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which track indices such as the Nifty 50 or the S&P BSE Sensex.
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Dealers stop placing orders for Tata Nano

Tata Motors’ Nano, the cheapest car launched in recent times, is now also among models clocking lowest monthly production and sales volume (in double digits to be precise). The average daily production of just two Nano cars at the company’s Sanand plant is indication enough that this vehicle is now as good as obsolete. Dealers of Tata Motors in most parts of the country have stopped placing orders for this small car in the last three-four months and the showrooms are displaying contemporary models such as Tiago, Tigor, Hexa and Nexon. Read more

Tyremakers to invest Rs 35,000 crore in 5 years

During the same time last year, the capacity utilisation of the tyre industry was 65-70 per cent. It is not only growth in the automobile industry that has helped the tyre segment. Growth has been aided by government policies also, said Satish Sharma, chairman, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), which claims to represent about 90 per cent of tyremakers. Read more

Are you a credit risk? Banks dig deep in your phone to find out

Indian banks have started mining data on customers’ smartphones for fast loan approval, testing out cutting-edge but controversial technology in what is potentially a huge market for such products. Long hampered from lending to the hundreds of millions of Indians without credit histories, banks are hoping to slash risk-assessment costs and trigger a new wave of consumer lending with apps that look at everything from Facebook connections to online shopping habits to rate potential borrowers. Read more 
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