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

Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena says restrictions imposed on social media after the communal riots in the island's central hills will be lifted within the next few days, as the government faces flak for not lifting the blockage despite improvement in the situation.

 

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

Washington: A US citizen, trained by al Qaeda in the tribal areas of Pakistan, has been sentenced to 45 years of imprisonment for conspiring to kill Americans and providing support to the global terror outfit. By Lalit K Jha.