Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours

President Putin underlines Russia’s commitment to ‘privileged strategic partnership’ with India

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday extended warm wishes to India on its Independence Day, underlining Moscow’s commitment to strengthening the particularly “privileged strategic partnership” between the two nations.****

FGN63: BANGLA-HASINA-LD PROBE

****Probe starts against former Bangladesh PM Hasina, 9 others for genocide, crimes against humanity

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has started an investigation against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and nine others on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity that took place from July 15 to August 5 during students’ mass movement against her government.****

FGN76: BANGLA-BANGABANDHU

****Stick-wielding protesters barred people from paying tributes to Bangabandhu at his residence-turned-museum

Dhaka: A large group of stick-wielding people positioned themselves in front of the Bangabandhu’s residence-turned-museum here on Thursday and foiled attempts by deposed premier Sheikh Hasina’s supporters to commemorate the anniversary of the assassination of her father and Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.****

FGN64: PAK-ARMY-IMRAN

****Arrested ex-ISI chief Hameed was Pakistan’s ‘asset’ who had been ‘wasted’, says Imran Khan

Islamabad: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that ex-spymaster Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed was Pakistan’s “asset” who had been “wasted”.****

FGN70: LANKA-ELECTION-WICREMESINGHE-SYMBOL

****Sri Lanka’s election commission allots Wickremesinghe gas cylinder symbol for presidential election

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s election commission on Thursday allocated the cooking gas cylinder symbol to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is contesting the presidential election next month as an independent.****

FGN58: DAY-UK ENVOY

****Hundreds gather for India’s Independence Day celebrations in London

London: Nearly 1,000 people of Indian heritage gathered at the High Commission of India here on Thursday to celebrate the 78th Independence Day, with music, dance and patriotic chants.****

FGN48: DAY-LD GREETINGS

****Macron and Putin among foreign leaders to greet India on its Independence Day

Moscow/Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among the world leaders who greeted India’s leadership and the people of India as the country celebrated its 78th Independence Day on Thursday. ****

FGN56: US-MODI-NY-RALLY

****PM Modi to address mega community event in Long Island, New York on Sept 22

New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address members of the Indian-American community at a mega diaspora event here next month when he visits the US for the high-level UN General Assembly session.****

FGN28: DAY-WORLD

****Indians abroad celebrate India’s 78th Independence Day with patriotic fervour

Beijing/Canberra: Indians across the world on Thursday enthusiastically celebrated India’s 78th Independence Day, exchanging greetings, singing the national anthem and patriotic songs and planting trees SCY