Following are the top foreign stories at 2030 hours

FGN17 CHINA-2NDLD AZHAR China defends blocking Azhar terror listing, says it will help in finding lasting solution

Beijing: China on Thursday defended its fourth "technical hold" on the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the move would give it time for a "thorough and in-depth assessment" of the case and help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all.

FGN23 PAK-KARTARPUR-LD DELEGATION 1st meeting on Kartarpur Corridor "constructive": Pakistan

Islamabad: The first meeting of officials of Pakistan and India to finalise the modalities of the landmark Kartarpur Corridor, held in the shadow of escalating bilateral tensions, was "construcirve" and the discussions were held in a "cordial environment", the Foreign Office said here.

FGN14 UNSC-2NDLD AZHAR UNSC members may be forced to take "other actions" on Azhar listing: diplomats warn China

Washington: Responsible member-states of the Security Council may be forced to take "other actions" if China continues to block moves to designate Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, diplomats at the UN's principal organ have warned.

FGN13 US-INDIA-LD NUCLEAR India, US agree to build six nuclear power plants

Washington: The US has agreed to build six atomic power plants in India to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation and expressed its strong support to India's early membership in the NSG.

FGN 22 UK-VISA-INDIANS Indians to benefit as UK lifts cap on PhD-level work visas

London: Indians are among the largest group of professionals set to benefit from a new UK government plan to remove any limit on the number of PhD-level work visas to be granted.

FGN21 US-JUDGE-LD RAO US Senate confirms Indian-American Neomi Rao for powerful federal judgeship

Washington: Neomi Rao, a prominent Indian-American lawyer has been confirmed for a powerful federal judgeship by the US Senate after she came under scrutiny for her past writings on sexual assaults.

FGN11 US-INDIA-LD BOLTON India, US seek tangible and irreversible action by Pakistan against terrorists

Washington: The US and India have asked Pakistan to take "tangible and irreversible action" against terrorist groups on its soil and deny safe haven to them to launch cross-border attacks, as Washington reiterated its firm support to New Delhi in the fight against terrorism.

BANGLA-ZIA-COURT Zia moves SC against HC doubling jail term in graft case

Dhaka: Bangladesh's jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia on Thursday filed a plea in the Supreme Court, challenging a High Court verdict that enhanced her punishment to 10 years imprisonment from five years in a corruption case.