Following are the top stories at 1700 hours

Following are the top stories at 1700 hours:
FGN14 US-PASSPORTS-SINGH
India to open 'Passport Seva Kendras' in each 543 parliamentary constituencies: V K Singh
New York: The Indian government plans to open a 'Passport Seva Kendra' in each of the 543 parliamentary constituencies across the country by March next year to ensure convenient passport services to its people, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said here. By Yoshita Singh
FGN17 PAK-INDIA-KARTARPUR
Pak conveys to India decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Sikhs: Foreign Minister Qureshi

Islamabad: Pakistan has conveyed to India its decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Thursday, even as the Foreign Office here said it cannot do much unless New Delhi responds. By Sajjad Hussain

FGN10 PREZ-AUS-GANDHI
President unveils Mahatma Gandhi's bronze statue in Australia
Melbourne:President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday unveiled a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Australian city of Sydney and said his powerful message of non-violence and peaceful coexistence is relevant in these times of strife. By Natasha Chaku
FGN8 KOVIND-AUS-LD INDIA
India, Australia ink 5 pacts as Kovind meets PM Morrison
Melbourne: President Ram Nath Kovind, the first Indian head of state to visit Australia, held talks with Prime minister Scott Morrison to step-up bilateral strategic ties as the two countries signed five agreements Thursday to boost investments and enhance cooperation. By Natasha Chaku

FGN11 CHINA-CAR-2NDLD CRASH
5 killed, 18 injured as car rams into students in China
Beijing: A speeding car ploughed into several students crossing a road in front a primary school in China's northeast Liaoning province, killing at least five of them and injuring 18 others, nearly two months after a similar incident claimed 11 lives. By K J M Varma
FGN15 PAK-LD POET
Pakistan's progressive Urdu writer Fahmida Riaz dies
Lahore: Noted Pakistani progressive Urdu writer, poet and rights activist Fahmida Riaz, who spent nearly seven years in exile in India, has died in Lahore following a prolonged illness. She was 73. By M Zulqernain

FGN18 EU-UK-BREXIT
EU, UK agree draft on 'ambitious' post-Brexit ties
FGN6 SAUDI-PRINCE-LD KHASHOGGI
Saudi warns crown prince a 'red line' in Khashoggi probe
FGN13 UN-CLIMATE-LD WARMING
Greenhouse gas levels in atmosphere hit new high: UN