Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours

     FGN29: UAE-RULER-LD DEAD
     UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed dies
     Dubai: UAE President and ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away on Friday, local media reports quoting the Ministry of Presidential Affairs said. He was 73.

     FGN13: LANKA-BAGLAY-WICKREMESINGHE
     Indian envoy calls on new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe
     Colombo: The Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Friday became the first foreign envoy to call on the new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed with him the current situation in the country amid the worst economic crisis, according to sources here.
    
     FGN18: LANKA-WICKREMESINGHE
     Lanka's new PM Wickremesinghe assumes duties, Opposition says his appointment has 'zero regard' for voice of people
     Colombo: Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the sixth time on Friday even as Opposition parties SJP and JVP announced that they will not extend any support to him as his appointment has been made with "zero regard" to the voice of the people.
    
     FGN12: LANKA-INDIA-VISA
     Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka denies stopping issuance of visas
     Colombo: Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka on Friday categorically denied that it has stopped issuing visas in the country, saying the disruption was caused by operational difficulties due to the inability of Visa Wing staff, most of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, to attend office.
    
     FGN7: LANKA-WICKREMESINGHE-INDIA
     Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Wickremesinghe says he looks forward to closer ties with India
     Colombo: Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he looks forward to closer ties with India during his term and thanked India for its economic assistance to the country as it tackles the worst economic crisis since independence.
         
     FGN17: PAK-FO-LD INDIA
     No environment for 'fruitful, constructive dialogue' with India: Pak FO
     Islamabad: Pakistan has ruled out any imminent talks with India due to the absence of a proper “environment” for "a fruitful, constructive dialogue".
    
     FGN21: PAK-ADB-LOAN
     ADB hints at providing USD 2.5 billion loan to cash-strapped Pakistan
     Islamabad: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has indicated that it will provide USD 2.5 billion in additional loans to Pakistan, including USD 1.5 billion before the end of this year, to help the cash-starved country which is in dire need of foreign assistance due to its depleting forex reserves and growing repayments and import financing requirements.
    
     FGN5: US-AZADI
     Congressmen, Indian Americans launch 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' at US Capitol
     Washington: Over a dozen influential Congressmen attended the formal launch of the nationwide "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" event by Indian Americans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's independence, a remarkable achievement of the world's largest democracy.
    
     FGN1: US-INDIA
     US in close touch with India on standing up against Russian aggression: White House
     Washington: The United States continues to be in close touch with India about its efforts to rally the world to stand up against Russian aggression, the White House said on Thursday.
    
     FGN6: UN-AFGHAN-MEETING
     UN holds emergency meeting on Taliban crackdown on women
     United Nations: The U.N. Security Council held emergency closed consultations Thursday on the Taliban's latest crackdown on Afghan women as it considered a presidential statement that would express deep concern at its new ban on women leaving home “without necessity” and wearing head-to-toe clothing when they do go out in public.
         
     FGN31: ISRAEL-JOURNALIST
     Israel: Initial probe into reporter''s death is inconclusive
     Jerusalem: The Israeli military says its initial probe into the killing of an Al Jazeera journalist this week was unable to determine whether she was struck by Israeli or Palestinian gunfire.

     FGN27: UK-MUSK-LD TWITTER
     Elon Musk says Twitter deal 'temporarily on hold'
     London: Elon Musk said Friday that his planned $44 billion purchase of Twitter is “temporarily on hold” pending details on spam and fake accounts on the social media platform.

     FGN24: RUSSIA-SOLDIER-LD TRIAL
     Ukraine puts Russian soldier accused of war crime on trial
     Kyiv: The trial of a Russian soldier accused of killing a Ukrainian civilian opened Friday, the first war crimes trial since Moscow's invasion of its neighbour. PTI PY
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)