Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours

Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours:

FGN36 LANKA-6THLD BLASTS 160 killed, over 450 injured as blasts hit three churches, five-star hotels on Easter in Sri Lanka

Colombo: A string of near simultaneous blasts struck three churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing more than 160 people and injuring over 450 others, shattering a decade of peace in the country after the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE.

FGN39 LANKA-BLASTS-2NDLD WORLD-REAX World leaders condemn Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka

London/Colombo: Countries across the globe, including the US, the UK, Russia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh, expressed shock and condemnation over the deadly blasts in churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that left nearly 190 people dead.

FGN15 PAK-LOC-TRADE Pakistan deplores India's decision to suspend cross-LoC trade

Islamabad: Pakistan on Sunday deplored India's "unilateral" decision to suspend cross-LoC trade and rejected the allegations regarding its "misuse" by elements from across the border to smuggle weapons, narcotics, fake currency and foment terrorism. By Sajjad Hussain

FGN29 CHINA-INDIA-GOKHALE Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale begins two-day visit to China

Beijing: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale arrived here on Sunday to hold talks on key issues concerning India-China relations with top Chinese officials and Foreign Minister Wang Yi as the two countries grapple with a host of issues, including Beijing's continuous attempts to block efforts to list Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist". By K J M VARMA

FGN8 CHINA-INDIA-NAVAL Indian naval ships arrive, Pak to miss Chinese navy’s fleet review

Beijing: Two Indian battle ships, including the biggest indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Kolkata, have arrived at the port city of Qingdao to take part in the Chinese Navy's fleet review while the Pakistan naval ships will be conspicuous by their absence at the event. By K J M Varma

FGN12 PAK-JALLIANWALA-DOCUMENTS Pak puts on display documents of Jallianwala Bagh massacre

Lahore: For the first time in its history, Pakistan has put on display rare documents of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to mark its 100th anniversary. By M Zulqernain

FGN26 LANKA-BLASTS-CHURCH 'Pieces of flesh thrown all over Sri Lankan church after blast'

Colombo: The St. Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo bore the brunt of a series of powerful blasts across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, with a top priest saying pieces of flesh were thrown all over the walls and on the sanctuary and even outside of the church.

FGN16 LANKA-BLASTS-PREZ Lanka PM, prez condemn coordinated bomb attacks, urge countrymen to unite

Colombo: Sri Lankan president, prime minister and other political leaders strongly condemned a series of coordinated bomb attacks on churches and hotels on Sunday that left over 150 dead and urged people to be patient while vowing to bring to justice those responsible for the barbaric act.

FGN38 LANKA-BLASTS-TOURISM Multiple blasts likely to have "adverse impact" on Lankan tourism: tour operators

Colombo: The near-simultaneous blasts targeting three churches and as many luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday may have an "adverse impact" on the upcoming summer holiday season in the country, a well-known tourist destination, tour operators and hoteliers said.

FGN37 PANAGARIYA-INDIA India must complete its reform process in next five years: Arvind Panagariya

New York: India must focus on growth of labour-intensive sectors to create decent jobs for the masses as well as give "serious thought" to privatising the public sector banks (PSBs), eminent economist Arvind Panagariya has said, emphasising that the reform process must be completed in the coming five years. By Yoshita Singh

FGN35 LANKA-POPE Pope denounces 'cruel violence' in Sri Lanka

Colombo: Pope Francis is denouncing the "cruel violence" of the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka and is praying for all those who are suffering from the bloodshed. (AP)

FGN33 AFGHAN-GHANI Afghan supreme court extends Ghani's term until delayed elections

Kabul: Afghanistan's supreme court on Sunday said it had extended the term of President Ashraf Ghani until elections, which have been delayed until September, can take place. (AFP)

FGN31 EGYPT-VOTE Egyptians vote in second day of referendum to extend Sisi rule

Cairo: Egyptians voted for a second day on Sunday in a referendum on proposed constitutional amendments aimed at cementing the rule of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (AFP)

FGN21 UKRAINE-PRESIDENTIAL-POLLS Comic poised to take over presidency in Ukraine vote

Kiev: Ukrainians went to polls Sunday in the second round of an extraordinary election with a comedian who plays a president on TV expected to win in a stunning rebuke to the political establishment. (AFP)

FGN18 POPE-EASTER Pope during Easter vigil: reject the 'glitter of wealth'

Vatican City: At an Easter vigil in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis on Saturday encouraged people to resist cynicism or pursuing the "glitter of wealth," and to avoid seeking life's meaning in "things that pass away." (AP)

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