Following are the top foreign stories at 1800 hours:

Following are the top foreign stories at 1800 hours:
FGN18 UK-3RDLD HAWKING
London: Stephen Hawking, the legendary British theoretical physicist who explored the mysteries of the universe from his wheelchair and went on to become an inspiring figure globally, dies at his home in Cambridge. By Aditi Khanna
FGN19 GERMANY-2NDLD MERKEL
Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, bruised by half a year of post-election coalition haggling, narrowly confirmed by parliament to her fourth and likely final term at the helm of Europe's biggest economy. (AFP)
FGN15 LANKA-GOVT-MEDIA

FGN10 US-INDIA
Washington: The India-US two-plus-two dialogue could be among the first major bilateral engagements of Mike Pompeo as the Secretary of State next month, if the CIA Director is confirmed as America's top diplomat by the Senate in next few weeks. By Lalit K Jha

FGN12 AFGHAN-ATTACK
Kabul: Insurgents attack a security checkpoint in western Afghanistan, killing at least 10 security forces. (AFP)
FGN8 US-SENTENCE