Following are the tope foreign stories at 1700 hours

Following are the tope foreign stories at 1700 hours:

FGN16 PAK-INDIA-LD KARTARPUR

Pak describes incomprehensible India's decision to reschedule upcoming Kartarpur meeting:FO

Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday described as "incomprehensible" India's decision to reschedule the upcoming meeting of the experts on the Kartarpur Corridor.

FGN15 UK-NIRAVMODI

Nirav Modi to seek bail again at UK court hearing

London: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi is set to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Friday, when his legal team will make a second bail application. By Aditi Khanna

FGN18 PAK-IMF-BAILOUT

Pak likely to get USD 8bn to USD 12bn bailout package by mid-May, FM Umar

Karachi: Cash-strapped Pakistan is likely to secure a bailout package between USD 6 billion and USD 12 billion from the IMF by the middle of May after the two sides significantly bridged the "gap" on the terms of the deal, Finance Minister Asad Umar has said.

 

FGN7 UN-TERRORISM-INDIA

States apologists for terrorists will continue to provide alibis to justify their actions: India

United Nations: In a veiled reference to Pakistan, India said countries that are "apologists for terrorists" will continue to provide "alibis" justifying their actions and inaction, as it called on the Security Council to ensure crucial sanctions measures against the UN proscribed terrorists and entities are strictly enforced. By Yoshita Singh

FGN17 CHINA-US-AZHAR

Azhar listing in UN: China denies its action amounted to sheltering terrorists

Beijing: Defending its repeated attempts to block the listing of JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, China on Friday refuted US allegation that its action amounted to protecting violent Islamic groups from sanctions. By K J M Varma

FGN12 US-POMPEO-BRI-LD CHINA

Chinese connectivity projects across the world have national security element: Pompeo

Washington: Chinese infrastructure and connectivity projects around the world have an element of "national security" and are less of an economic offer for host countries, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said as Beijing is gearing to host the second Belt and Road Forum. By Lalit K Jha

FGN11 PAK-SHARIF-HEALTH

Nawaz Sharif advised 'complete rest' by doctors

Lahore: Ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was released from a high-security jail here for six weeks on medical grounds, has been advised "complete rest" by doctors after increase in angina pain and kidney complications. By M Zulqernain

FGN8 BANGLA-FIRE-LD TOLL

Bangladesh skyscraper inferno toll rises to 25

Dhaka: The death toll from a deadly fire that ripped through a skyscraper in the Bangladeshi capital jumped to 25, officials said Friday, as firefighters nearly completed their search inside the charred shell of the building.

By Anisur Rahman

FGN13 NZ-ATTACK-LD REMEMBRANCE

Christchurch survivor tells remembrance service: 'I choose peace'

Christchurch: A Maori lament echoed across Christchurch Friday as a survivor of the New Zealand mosque attacks told a national remembrance service he had forgiven the gunman responsible for the racist massacre that took his wife, and shocked the world. (AFP)

FGN19 VATICAN-SEX ABUSE-CLAIMS

Pope mandates reporting of sex abuse claims in Vatican city

Vatican City: Pope Francis has issued sweeping new sex abuse legislation for Vatican personnel and Holy See diplomats overseas, requiring the immediate reporting of abuse allegations to Vatican prosecutors, a policy shift aimed at being a model for the Catholic Church worldwide.