Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours

Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours:

FGN54 LANKA-3RDLDALL BLASTS 215 killed, around 500 injured as blasts hit churches, luxury hotels on Easter in Sri Lanka

Colombo: A string of eight devastating blasts, including suicide attacks, struck churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 215 people and shattering a decade of peace in the island nation since the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE.

FGN51 LANKA-BLASTS-3RDLD 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 104 deaths and a top priest saying pieces of flesh were thrown all over the walls, on the sanctuary and even outside the church.

FGN47 LANKA-BLASTS-3RDLD WORLD-REAX World leaders condemn Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka

London/Colombo: Countries from across the globe, including the US, the UK, Russia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh expressed shock and condemnation over the deadly blasts at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that left over 200 people dead.

FGN50 LANKA-TRUMP-LD GAFFE Trump goofs up again! tweets 138 million people dead in Sri Lankan blasts

Washington: Known for his gaffes, US President Donald Trump yet again committed a faux pas on Sunday as he erroneously wrote that "138 million people" were killed in a string of blasts in Sri Lanka.

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

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

FGN41 LANKA-LD POPE Pope denounces 'cruel violence' of Sri Lanka Easter attack

Vatican City: Pope Francis denounced the "cruel violence" of the Easter Sunday slaughter of Christians and foreigners in Sri Lanka as he celebrated the most joyful moment on the Christian liturgical calendar by lamenting the bloodshed and political violence afflicting many parts of the world. (AP)

FGN52 AFGHAN-LD GHANI Afghan supreme court extends Ghani's term until delayed elections

Kabul: Afghanistan's supreme court has extended the term of President Ashraf Ghani until delayed elections take place, an official said Sunday, resolving for now the question of what would happen after his term expires on May 22. (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)

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) RUP