Ten of the 45 passengers who were killed when a private bus fell into a Himachal Pradesh river are yet to be identified even after 24 hours of the accident, an official said on Thursday.

Two people, including the conductor, managed to escape by jumping off the bus belonging to Uttarakhand as it skidded off the road and fell into the Tons river, a tributary of the Yamuna, more than 250 metres below the road.

The accident spot, 12 km from the Uttarakhand border, is near Gumma in Nerva tehsil, some 190 km from the state capital. It is one of the remotest places in the state.

Sub-divisional Magistrate Anil Chauhan said 10 bodies, which are in badly mutilated condition, are yet to be identified.

"All the bodies have been sent to the government hospital in Nerva," he said.

Nerva is some 30 km from the accident spot.

Out of the 45 victims, 13 belonged to Himachal Pradesh, 18 from Uttarakhand and four from Uttar Pradesh.

The bus was on its way to Tuini from Vikasnagar town (both in Uttarakhand), via Himachal Pradesh.

Rescue workers said the road where the accident occurred was badly damaged and there was no parapet to prevent the vehicle from rolling down.

Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister GS Bali has ordered a probe to ascertain the cause of the accident.

The spirit of entrepreneurship, philanthropy and cultural contributions of the Parsis in the early days of Singapore has been celebrated with the launch of a book on the community that moved from Persia to India and then to Southeast Asia in 1800s.

The Parsis of Singapore: History, Culture, Cuisine tells the story of a small but influential community with a big heart.

The book, one of a series being done on minority communities' role in Singapore, was launched by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Grace Fu, last night.

The Parsis arrived on Singapore and Sumatra (Indonesia) shores in the early 1800s.

They set up businesses such as aerated water and ice- factories in early 1900s in Singapore and had spice plantations in Bencoolen in Sumatra, said Rustom J Kanga, a retired pilot who had flown planes for Indian Airlines, Air India and Singapore Airlines.

The Parsi philanthropists, included Navroji R Mistri, who made his fortune by selling soda water in Singapore and was known as the "godfather of the poor" for having, among other charity contributions, paid SGD 1 million for building a Children Wing in the Singapore General Hospital in 1953.

The book also celebrated the work of journalist-author Suna Kanga, wife of Rustam, and a former associate editor of Mumbai's Onlooker.

She started writing the book in 2014 but passed away in 2015, leaving it half completed.

The 265-page book, under a grant from Singapore's National Heritage Board, was then on completed by writer Subina Aurora Khaneja. The book was presented to the 350- strong Parsi community in Singapore.

Among Parsi's cultural contribution is Wayang, a stage performance popular in part of the region, said Khaneja.

The Parsi community is dwindling, estimated to be over 100,000 in the world, with about 50,000-60,000 in India, Kanga estimated.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and AIADMK leader M Thambidurai called on Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao here on Thursday.

Thambidurai later told reporters that it was a courtesy call as he has known Rao for a long time. He said he did not discuss the political situation in the state with Rao.

Tamil Nadu Finance and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar also met Rao. Jayakumar said: "The meeting was in connection with the selection of Vice Chancellor of a university."

The meetings come amid efforts within the divided ruling AIADMK to merge. 
 

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop urged China on Thursday to do more to help out in the international effort to pressure and persuade North Korea to stop escalating nuclear and missile threat.

Bishop said that China has a "unique and specific role to play in pressuring North Korea to cease its illegal behaviour.

Australia plans to work closely with Japan, South Korea and the US, and with China, "to ensure that China can use its unique position." 

She made the remark to a group of reporters in Tokyo, where she is joining foreign and defence ministers' talks between Australia and Japan to discuss deepening defence cooperation in time of the growing North Korean threat.

While supporting the US government's shift to a tougher stance, Bishop said further effort for dialogue and economic sanctions are necessary.

"China is the source of energy, of ideas, of innovation, of expertise," she said, noting 95 of direct investment in North Korea come from China and that the North's exports mainly goes to China.

"There is a far greater role that China can play in assisting the region and the global community in bringing North Korea into line so it ceases a nuclear and missile program that is clearly designed to attack the United States." 

The North Korea situation makes military cooperation particularly crucial, Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada told Australian counterpart Marise Payne when they met yesterday ahead of the talks. They agreed to expand joint exercises and arms-equipment trade.

China and the South China Sea are also likely topics when Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida joins the other ministers. The four ministers are also expected to review President Donald Trump's first three months in office, according to a Japanese foreign ministry official who briefed reporters on customary condition of anonymity.

The Australian ministers' visit come on the heels of US Vice President Mike Pence's trip to Japan and South Korea earlier this week as part of a 10-day Asia tour to reassure allies of America's commitment to the region.

Tension on the Korean Peninsula has risen this month, with the Trump administration stepping up pressure on North Korea and two major anniversary events in North Korea.

Japan, a staunch US ally that hosts about 50,000 American troops on its turf, has in recent years developed military cooperation with other countries, including Australia, France and Britain.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has sought to expand Japan's defence role and capability in the face of North Korea's threat and China's increasing assertive maritime activity in the East and South China Seas.

Indian shuttlers Parupalli Kashyap and Harsheel Dani advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the China Masters Grand Prix Gold here on Wednesday.

Kashyap, who is playing his first tournament after a shoulder injury in more than three months, defeated Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-16, 21-17 to progress to the pre-quarterfinals.

However, bigger test awaits the 2012 London Olympian as he will meet Chinese third seed Qiao Bin in the next round.

Joining Kashyap in the next round was Dani, who got the better of China's Yan Runze 21-16, 22-20 in 36 minutes.

The youngster will face Chinese Sun Feixiang in the next round at the Olympic Sports Centre.

Meanwhile, women shuttlers Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli and Sai Uttejitha Rao Chukka suffered losses.

Krisha lost to Li Yun 18-21, 11-21 in 34 minutes, while Uttejitha was defeated by Li Wenmei 4-21, 21-13, 12-21 in 49 minutes.

Singer-actress Miley Cyrus' sister, Noah, has sparked speculations that she has got plastic surgery done with her "changing look." 

According to a new report from In Touch, many believe that the 17-year-old singer changing face is the result of "more than" just natural process of physical changes, reported AceShowbiz.

Double board certified plastic surgeon Dr Vartan Mardirossian said, "She has significantly increased facial volumes (cheeks, upper and lower lip, and chin) and her eyebrows appear to be higher." 

The plastic surgeon speculated that Noah might have had botox to lift her eyebrows.

Another doctor named Andrew Miller said, "It looks like she may have had fillers in her cheeks and lips and possibly a chin implants," before adding, "instead of fillers, she may have had cheek implants."

The IMF has raised concerns over China's credit boom which has more than doubled in less than a decade, saying this can be "dangerous" for the world's second largest economy.

"China is a key contributor to global growth but also has notable vulnerabilities. Credit in relation to China's economy has more than doubled in less than a decade, to over 200 per cent. Credit booms this big can be dangerous," Tobias Adrian, Financial Counsellor and Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Monetary and Capital Markets Department said yesterday.

"The longer booms last and the larger credit grows, the more dangerous they become," Adriano said while releasing the 2017 Global Financial Stability Report.

He, however, said Chinese authorities continue to adjust policies to limit the growth of the banking and shadow banking systems but emphasised that more needs to be done reduce vulnerabilities.

Adrian said the growth of credit in the Chinese economy has been very fast since the 2008 financial crisis and the overall level of debt is very elevated.

"The Chinese authorities are taking steps to contain leverage both in the banking system and shadow banking system.

They show some success in reining in credit growth, but in our view, more needs to be done. We do believe that the authorities are aware of that," he said.

"There is certainly coordination among the regulators within China. Internationally, the Chinese authorities are part of the FSB, the Financial Stability Board, and they are part of the Basel Committee. They are coordinating regulatory efforts in these international bodies along with the other nations that are part of the Basel Committee and the FSB," he said.

However, the IMF thinks that the Chinese economy has adequate buffers to weather any sort of change in global financial conditions, Matthew Jones, Assistant Director IMF's Monetary and Capital Market Department said.

Jones added that some of the domestic challenges which China is facing are manageable but urgent action is required to ensure its capability in reducing the rapid credit growth.

The IMF has called for strengthening the domestic financial system with supervisory attention on banks' emerging risks, especially rapid asset growth in the small, unlisted local banks and their increased reliance on wholesale funding and risks packaged into shadow products, he said.

"We think that staving off potential future episodes of a changing global environment or financial turmoil really requires a shift in the focus of policies toward reducing those financial vulnerabilities and less focus on achieving a specific growth target.

"That will help to ensure the success of the rebalancing that is undergoing in China and to ensure financial stability and sustainable growth," Jones said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asked bureaucrats to stand up against wrongdoings of political masters, saying civil servants must continue their work in the interest of the country and the welfare of people.

Attending as the chief guest the inaugural session of the Civil Services Day here, Singh said civil servants should endeavour to become part of the solution and they should never be part of the problem.

"If a political executive gives wrong orders, do not be scared to show them rules. Tell the political executive that you are legally wrong. Do not sign the file. Haan mein haan naa milaiye (Do not become a yes master). Do not betray your conscience," he said at the function attended by officers belonging to IAS and other all India services.

Lauding the role of bureaucrats in bringing changes in the society, the Home Minister said the job makes an officer responsible, accountable and impartial.

"Civil services has power. But with power comes big responsibility, accompanied by accountability. We should always remember this. Along with the responsibility and accountability, impartiality is the third most important aspect of our civil servants. Lack of impartiality may affect your decision making capabilities," he said.

Singh said Indian polity has never faced a vacuum and witnessed continuity in all these years as the civil servants contributed largely in maintaining continuity.

"This administrative continuity in India has been one of the important reasons for the success of Indian democracy," he said.

The Home Minister also took a dig at officers who "avoid" taking decisions, saying such hesitations may harm the country's interests.

"If necessary, discuss and deliberate with your seniors but there should be no hesitation in taking decisions," he said.

Singh said the Narendra Modi government through 'Jan Dhan, Aadhar and mobile connectivity' (JAM) convergence is transforming good governance into smart governance.

The Home Minister said the central government is committed to successfully implementing 'Antyodaya', a scheme for providing subsidised food to millions of poorest families.

Singh said civil servants have to play a more active and effective role in its implementation.

"Our government is known for its commitment and conviction. The Prime Minister has a dream of ensuring 'Roti, Kapda, Makan, Siksha and Swasthya' (food, house, education and health service) for everyone by 2022. Civil servants must ensure that the dream becomes a reality," he said.

Singh said the country's first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, had said that if civil services was called 'steel frame' of India it would not be an exaggeration.

"The guiding principles for civil servants as enunciated by Sardar Patel in 1948 are extremely important in the present day context as well. The 'steel frame' of our civil services has not weakened even after 70 years of Independence," he said.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Chairman Sunil Mittal on Thursday met United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss the role of world business in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals.

The two also discussed the challenges posed by growing populism and anti-globalisation sentiments, an ICC statement said.

This was Mittal's first meeting with the UN Secretary- General since the decision to grant ICC 'Observer Status' at the UN General Assembly last December.

The meeting was held at the UN headquarters in New York.

During the meeting, Mittal — who is also the chairman of telecom major Bharti Airtel — underscored ICC s commitment to use its newly granted status in the UN system to deploy "resources, expertise and knowledge of world business in implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs, the statement added.

The SDGs are the most ambitious development agenda ever agreed at the international level and it is widely recognised that their successful implementation will hinge on widespread business action, the statement added.

The SDGs are call to action for ending poverty, ensuring education, protecting the planet and other global goals.

"Secretary General Guterres welcomed ICC s commitment to the SDGs and noted that partnerships with the private sector would be vital to address major global challenges…(such) as climate change to mass-migration," Mittal said.

Mittal emphasised the significance of rules-based policy making to enable trade, innovation and job-creation in the context of SDGs.

"Given the complexity of today s global challenges, it s vital that business has a clear voice in UN decision making," Mittal said.

He added that ICC would look to use its observer status to positively shape important debates on issues such as trade, financing, technology and corporate responsibility.

The meeting was part of the ICC Chairman's mission to New York where he is meeting with senior UN officials and national ambassadors.

ICC also announced a new collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency to enhance business engagement in the international response to the global refugee crisis.

Mittal took over as ICC Chairman in June 2016, and is the third Indian business leader to hold the position in the chamber's near-100 year history.

Jakarta's Christian governor may escape jail for alleged blasphemy after prosecutors on Thursday recommended only probation, a day after he lost in a religiously charged run-off that damaged Indonesia's image as a bastion of tolerant Islam.

The recommendation of two years probation in the trial of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, with a possible one-year jail term if he commits a crime during that period, was lighter than expected as he could have been sent to prison for several years.

The sentence demand for allegedly insulting Islam came after he was defeated yesterday by a Muslim challenger who was accused of pandering to hardliners to win votes in the race for the Jakarta governorship.

The blasphemy allegations and Purnama's subsequent poll loss have sparked fears that pluralistic traditions in the world's most populous Muslim country are under threat from the influence of hardliners, who pushed for the governor's prosecution during a series of mass protests.

Chief prosecutor Ali Mukartono recommended that Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, be found guilty of blasphemy and be given two years probation, with a possible one-year jail sentence.

"If within the two years, Ahok doesn't commit any new criminal act, like corruption, stealing… he will be free," his lawyer I Wayan Sudirta told AFP.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister said on Thursday that oil-producing countries might have to extend output cuts agreed for the first six months of the year in order to achieve the desired rebalancing of the market.

"We might have to extend in order to reach the target…

of stock levels," Khalid al-Falih told an energy forum in Abu Dhabi, referring to a deal between OPEC and non-OPEC producers to cut production by around 1.8 million barrels per day.

The Income Tax department on Thursday recovered over Rs.10 crore cash and about ten kgs of gold after it conducted searches on the premises of a senior Uttar Pradesh bureaucrat.

The tax sleuths also raided at least four premises of a former OSD of Noida Authority in Noida near here as part of its black money crack down against government servants, a senior official said.

The official added that I-T teams, which began the searches early morning, have recovered Rs.10 crore cash and ten kgs of gold from the Noida residence of the Additional Commissioner of state Sales Tax department.

The officer is posted in Kanpur at present, they said.

In the second search at Noida, the department recovered some documents and is searching various premises and bank lockers associated to the former Officer on Special Duty OSD) of the Noida Authority.

The department has launched operations against bureaucrats and government servants few days back and has detected undisclosed income worth over Rs.20 crore till now.

It has conducted searches against four bureaucrats based in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the last three days.

Official sources had said raids were carried out in the last two days against four government functionaries in these states including against a general manager of the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Ltd (UPRNN) in Dehradun for alleged "misuse of official position" and subsequent charges of tax evasion.

"Documents showing undisclosed investments in farm houses spread over hundreds of bighas and immovable properties in other cities have been seized," a senior official had said.

The tax sleuths have also made an inventory of some costly assets and posh vehicles like Range Rover, an Audi and a BMW car from the premises of the official and his family.

They said the I-T teams were surprised to find 15 large LED television sets fitted in the farm house which was constructed on a land earmarked to setup a factory. A well- equipped gym, a guest house and an under-construction swimming pool were found on the premises.

"The department is probing tax evasion to the tune of a few crores against the official and his associates based in Rishikesh," they had claimed.

In an another search operation against a local body chairman in UP's Siddharthnagar district, the department detected tax evasion to the "tune of Rs 10 crore as per preliminary estimates."

"The Chairman owns two petrol pumps and a gas agency and has been found to be allegedly diverting development grants for personal benefits," the official said.

The department also raided the premises of a senior official in Noida and that of a UP road transport department officer based in Kanpur.

"The Noida officer was found to have made unaccounted cash payments for purchase of immovable properties worth more than Rs 2 crore in the name of his spouse," the official said, adding he will soon be issued summons to join investigation.

Investigation against the Kanpur-based officer is ongoing, the official added.

The department, the official said, will undertake similar action against few more bureaucrats who are on its radar for quite sometime now.

Over Rs 540 crore black money has been detected by the department in the last 15 days as part of its nation-wide operations to check tax evasion. These actions come after the closure of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY) black money window on March 31.

In the first fortnight of the new financial year that began on April 1, the taxman has conducted multiple search and survey operations on entry operators (agents using banking channels to launder funds), shell firms, government officials, real estate players and other sectors.

As per an official data compiled till April 15, the department has carried out "over 250 searches and survey operations where the taxman raided at least 300 shell firms and detected more than Rs 540 crore of black money.

Good news! If you were planning to put your money down for a new Mahindra XUV500, you will now get even more bang for your buck. The company has confirmed that its 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system has been upgraded to support smartphone linking via Android Auto. The infotainment system continues to boast of a built-in GPS navigation system, audio/video playback via USB, Bluetooth connectivity, hands-free calling, iPod connectivity and a picture viewer.

Additionally, it now gets industry-first features like Connected Apps and Ecosense. The former enables the use of apps such as Gaana, Cricket Live, Zomato, Book My Show and others installed in the infotainment system itself, irrespective of their availability in the mobile phone of the user. Ecosense, on the other hand, is a feature that helps with economical driving. It gives scores to the driver based on his driving style and keeps displaying the Ecoscore out of 100. This assists the driver in knowing the exact area where he/she needs to adapt his/her driving in order to reduce fuel consumption.

That’s not all, the butch SUV also gets a first-in-class Emergency Call service and a one-touch lane indicator has been introduced as well. The XUV500 will also be available in the new Lake-Side Brown shade with black leather seats and black dashboard.

The new features are available on all variants of the XUV500, except the base W4 grade. Starting from the W6 variant, it costs Rs.13.8 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). It is currently unclear whether existing customers can get their XUV500’s infotainment system upgraded to the latest spec.

The Mahindra XUV500 is a great overall package. While it comes loaded with features, it also has a capable powertrain underneath. It is currently available with either a 1.99-litre diesel or a 2.2-litre diesel engine. Both the engines are tuned to pump out 140PS/330Nm. Similarly, customers can either opt for a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission with both the engine options. Apart from the cubic capacity, the only difference between the two engine options is that the 2.2-litre is also offered with all-wheel-drive system and the smaller engine isn’t. Prices for the XUV500 start at Rs.12.44 lakh for the base W4 variant and go all the way to Rs.18.56 lakh for the top-spec W10 AWD AT (both prices, ex-showroom Mumbai).

Source: CarDekho

Hyundai has finally launched the facelift of its compact sedan, the Xcent, at a starting price of Rs.5.38 lakh. The prices go all the way up to Rs.8.41 lakh for the top-spec variants (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). It follows the facelift of its donor car, the Grand i10, launched in February this year. The 2017 Xcent gets redesigned front and rear profiles along with other additional features and the 1.2-litre diesel engine from the 2017 Grand i10.

The 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder diesel engine that powers the Xcent facelift is based on the previous 1.1-litre diesel engine. Under the Xcent’s hood, the updated diesel engine makes 75PS of maximum power and 190Nm of peak torque, which is 3PS and 10Nm more than before. The diesel engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Xcent continues to get the 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 83PS of maximum power and 114Nm of peak torque. It comes with an option of a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. While the manual petrol variant has a claimed fuel efficiency of 20.14 kmpl, the automatic variant returns 17.36 kmpl. On the other hand, the diesel engine returns a mileage of 25.4 kmpl.

As far as aesthetic changes are concerned, the updated Xcent gets Hyundai's new cascading grille, which made its debut on the Grand i10 facelift globally. In the Xcent, the grille features horizontal chrome slats, whereas the hatch comes with a mesh pattern. The Xcent gets a redesigned front bumper inspired from the upcoming Verna. It also features daytime running LEDs placed in the fog lamp housing. Instead of the diamond-cut alloy wheels of the pre-facelift model, the Xcent facelift gets silver-finished alloys. At the rear, it features split wraparound tail lamps, with a chrome strip adjoining them, and a new redesigned dual-tone rear bumper as well. The updated Xcent also gets a shark-fin antenna like the Verna and the Honda City.

In terms of features, the Xcent facelift gets a 7.0-inch infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Mirror Link connectivity. It also receive Hyundai’s Alternator Management System (AMS) tech, which charges the battery only during deceleration or when the engine has power to spare, saving fuel in the process. As for safety, dual-front airbags are now standard. The pre-facelift model offered driver airbag along with ABS as standard fitment.

Hyundai has also removed a lot of features in the new Xcent to make sure it remains a value for money car like earlier. The new base E variant of the new Xcent misses a lot features like full-wheel covers, blacked-out B-pillars, passenger-side vanity mirror, a digital clock, rear-seat armrest, a day/night IRVM and central locking as compared to the to the pre-facelift base variant. Also, while the height-adjustable driver seat has been removed from the S variant, the SX variant misses out on the automatic electrochromatic IRVM. Also, the SX (O) variant doesn’t get the ioniser for the climate control.

The Xcent was the third most selling compact sedan in the first quarter of 2017 after the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire and the Honda Amaze. Maruti is also likely to launch the third-generation Dzire soon. The Xcent also competes with the likes of the recently launched Tata Tigor and other compact sedans like the Ford Aspire, Volkswagen Ameo and the Tata Zest.

Source: CarDekho

Pakistan is waiting with bated breath for the Supreme Court's decision in a high-profile case against Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif and his offspring amid speculation that an adverse ruling may force him to step down.

The Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that its five- member bench will issue a verdict in what is called the Panama case on Thursday.

The case was launched on November 3 and the court held 35 hearings before concluding proceedings on February 23.

The case was based on several identical petitions by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan and others about alleged illegal assets of Sharif's family in London.

The assets surfaced when Panama papers – a collection of leaked documents – showed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's offspring.

The petitioners have asked the court to disqualify 67- year-old Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of the constitution because he was involved in corruption.

It is generally believed the court may not disqualify the Prime Minister but it may pass comments which will bring moral pressure on Sharif to step down.

"I don't think he will be disqualified but his moral authority may be impacted," said Manzoor Wassan, a senior leader of opposition Pakistan People Party (PPP).

Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of PPP, in an interview with a private TV channel asked Sharif to resign in case the decision went against him.

"We did not resist when the Supreme Court disqualified [then premier] Yousaf Raza Gilani. We chose another prime minister. Nawaz should do the same," said Zardari.

Zardari's handpicked Prime Minister Gilani stepped down in 2012 when the Supreme Court convicted him for disobeying court orders.

Zardari chaired an important meeting of the PPP yesterday and also called another meeting today after the court decision to assess the political situation.

Sharif's nemesis Imran Khan and his party announced it would launch a movement for the next election irrespective of the decision.

Khan held a meeting of party leaders yesterday and asked them to remain in Islamabad to decide the further course of action.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, one of the petitioners, said that the decision would be "historic".

"It will result in a political earthquake in the country," he said in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, in a series of tweets Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, dispelled the impression that the premier was worried about the judgement.

"People love Nawaz Sharif. It is not about the prime minister speaking. It's what he's speaking. His narrative is constructive and about development and progress. Eyes forward, mind focused, heart ready…game on, world ! Wazir-e-Azam Nawaz Sharif," one of her tweets said.

She also taunted the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf saying: "When all your plans have miserably failed and your precarious future hinges on… your best bet is a court decision".

Sharif's supporters are adamant that their leader is "innocent" and will emerge stronger after the verdict.

"His name is not in the Panama leaks. He has not committed any wrong. So he will be victorious," said Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.

Rafique also said that the election will be held as scheduled next year.

Security has been increased in and around the court.

Dozens of policemen and personnel of law enforcing agencies are present on the court premises.

Regardless of the impact of the decision, it is believed that it will be an important milestone in Pakisan's fight against corruption.

US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday arrived in Indonesia on a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, regional security and the fight against terror.

Pence is scheduled to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo before holding talks on bilateral relations with his counterpart Jusuf Kalia, Efe news reported.

Pence is expected to largely discuss trade with his counterpart, as he did in Japan, the previous stopover of his Asia-Pacific tour, which will conclude on Saturday in Australia.

He is also expected to discuss the dispute over the South China Sea.

After the meetings, Pence is scheduled to visit the Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, which is the biggest mosque in the country with largest Muslim population in the world, and participate in inter-faith talks with several religious leaders.

He will also meet the secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) based in Jakarta, which is celebrating 40 years of relations with the US.

Pence's visit to Indonesia will conclude on Friday with a meeting with businessmen and the signing of several agreements for collaboration in the energy and information technology sectors.

Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman feels his team is faced with a problem of plenty in the ongoing IPL as newcomers have made it count at the first given opportunity.

Hyderabad are jointly top in the IPL points table after beating Delhi Daredevils by 5 runs on Wednesday.

“I don't see any area of concern while we are under pressure, even though the matches are close. Having said that, we always look to improve,” he said in the post-match press conference.

Laxman appreciated Kane Williamson, whose brilliant knock of 89 runs enabled SRH to pt up a challenging target of 192, and young players like Siddharth Kaul and debutant Mohammed Siraj.

“With the new recruits we have got, we have plugged in the loopholes we had last year. Because of the new recruits, we have the luxury of fielding different playing XIs depending on the situation, depending on the opposition and conditions,” he added.

“We are very fortunate to have a lot of talented players and unfortunately, because of the nature of the    game, only XI can play and only a few batsmen can play. It's really good to see that we are not relying only on one batsman or one bowler,” he said.

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, who made his debut in IPL this year, has already created an impact in the tournament with his unique leg-spin.

"He has got that X-factor. He has picked the wickets and he is bowling some tough overs. For a leg-spinner to bowl in the end, it shows the amount of confidence we have got in him,” Laxman said.

Delhi Daredevils' Shreyas Iyer said the team made a good start but let it slip.

“This was a wicket, we could have restricted them for 180. Nonetheless, it is part of the game,” he said.