World in brief: What happened today

Gerry (R) and Kate McCann hold up a photo of their abducted daughter Madeleine during a press conference after their meeting with Pope Benedict, in Rome. Photo / Reuters

Pope comforts Madeleine's parents

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict comforted the parents of abducted four-year-old Madeleine McCann last night and tenderly blessed a photograph of the missing child.

The girl's father, Gerry McCann, said later he and his wife were touched and encouraged by the Pope's gestures.

He appealed to holiday makers travelling in Europe to post pictures of his daughter in public places in the hope someone might have information that could lead to her safe return.

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Russia rules out Litvinenko suspect swap deal

MOSCOW - Russia has dismissed speculation it could hand over the man suspected of murdering Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko in exchange for Britain extraditing a tycoon wanted in Moscow.

Russia and Britain are locked in a diplomatic tussle over Moscow's refusal to extradite Andrei Lugovoy, the man British prosecutors want to put on trial for poisoning Litvinenko with a radioactive isotope last year.

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Seven killed in Nato helicopter crash in Afghanistan

KABUL - Seven NATO soldiers died when their Chinook helicopter crashed today in southern Afghanistan.

Troops responding to the scene of the crash were ambushed and called for an air strike to eliminate the threat, NATO officials said.

NATO would not say immediately if the helicopter was directly involved in a battle with Taleban guerrillas or whether it was shot down. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

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