Top foreign stories at 2030 hours

     FGN44: UK-INDIA-FTA
     *Good market access offered on both sides, says UK on India FTA talks
     London: There has been good market access offered on both sides but not enough to secure a free trade agreement (FTA), the UK government has said as Indian negotiators are in London this week to continue discussions with their British counterparts.
    
     FGN38: UAE-DUBAI-WEATHER-INDIANS
     Indian mission in Dubai launches helpline numbers for Indians affected due to extreme rain in UAE
     Dubai: India's consulate here has launched helpline numbers for Indians and stranded passengers affected by unprecedented heavy rains pounded the city and the northern Emirate of the UAE.
    
     FGN40: PAK-PRESIDENT-ADDRESS
     President Zardari urges political parties to shun polarisation; rakes up Kashmir issue
     Islamabad: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday urged political leaders to shun the politics of polarisation to address the challenges faced by the cash-strapped country, amidst sloganeering by lawmakers from jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party against him and the government.
         
     FGN46: CHINA-US-TREASURY-BILLS
     China dumps USD 22.7 bn in US treasury bills amid deepening strategic rivalry with Washington
     Beijing: China has offloaded USD 22.7 billion US treasury bills recently over concerns over security and a further delay to expected interest rate cuts by the American Federal Reserve, amidst its intensified strategic rivalry with Washington.
         
     FGN37: UK-EARTH DAY-MUSIC-INDIAN RAIN
     Indian rains make up UN’s Sounds Right global music initiative for Earth Day
     London: Singer-songwriter Anuv Jain’s composition capturing the sound of Indian rains is part of a new global music initiative called ‘Sounds Right’ launched on Thursday by the Museum for the United Nations - UN Live in the lead-up to Earth Day on April 22.

     FGN17: US-INDIA-LD AGRI MARKET
     USTR says market access to India has improved
     Washington: India has opened up its market to the American farming industry in as many as 12 different categories which will provide a growing opportunity for US exporters, the top trade official has told lawmakers as she defended the Biden administration's policies after some influential senators raised the issue of unfair practices by foreign countries.
    
     FGN14: US-INDIA-LD AUSTIN
     India-US jet engine deal is revolutionary, says Defence Secretary Austin
     Washington: The India-US deal to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force is revolutionary, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has told lawmakers, as he hailed the “great relationship” with India.
    
     FGN29: US-UNSC REFORM-MUSK-INDIA
     US supports reform of UN: Biden admin official on Musk's remarks on permanent UNSC seat for India
    Washington: The US supports much-needed reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to make it reflective of the 21st-century world, a senior Biden administration official has said, amidst growing calls for inclusion of India as the permanent member of the powerful organ of the world body.
    
     FGN30: CANADA-GOLD-HEIST-INDIANS
     Two Indian-origin men among six arrested in Canada's $22.5 million gold, cash heist
    Ottawa: At least two Indian-origin men are among six persons arrested in connection with a brazen multimillion-dollar gold heist at Toronto’s main airport last year, the biggest gold theft in Canada's history.          
    FGN26: PAK-X-SUSPENSION
     Microblogging site X says ‘continue to work’ with Pakistan govt to understand its ‘concerns’
     Islamabad: A day after the Pakistan government told a high court that the popular microblogging website X has been banned in the country due to national security issues, the social media platform on Thursday for the first time said that it continues to work with the relevant authorities on their concerns.*

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)