Pakistan clashes leave 36 dead

* QUETTA – Fierce clashes between Pakistani forces and separatist insurgents in troubled south-western Baluchistan province have left six paramilitary troops and 30 rebels dead, officials said yesterday.

AU seeks to delay indictment against Bashir * ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The African Union will ask the UN Security Council to suspend action for a year on an indictment of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Darfur genocide charges, Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister said yesterday. Portugal shelves Maddie probe * LISBON – Portugal’s attorney-general has told police to halt their investigation into the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann.The case will remain on hold unless new evidence emerges.The girl went missing in May 2007, a few days before her fourth birthday, during a family holiday in Portugal’s southern Algarve region.Myanmar cyclone damage estimated at $4b * SINGAPORE – Myanmar needs at least $1 billion over the next three years to put the survivors of Cyclone Nargis back on their feet, a UN-led report said yesterday in the first comprehensive assessment of damage caused by the disaster that killed more than 84 000 people.Iraq sees hope of US troop withdrawal * BAGHDAD – Iraq’s government welcomed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama yesterday with word that it apparently shares his hope that US combat forces could leave by 2010.Syria plans diplomatic relations with Lebanon * BEIRUT – Syria’s foreign minister said yesterday his country was determined to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon for the first time since the two neighbours gained independence from France more than 60 years ago.Portugal shelves Maddie probe * LISBON – Portugal’s attorney-general has told police to halt their investigation into the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann.The case will remain on hold unless new evidence emerges.The girl went missing in May 2007, a few days before her fourth birthday, during a family holiday in Portugal’s southern Algarve region.Myanmar cyclone damage estimated at $4b * SINGAPORE – Myanmar needs at least $1 billion over the next three years to put the survivors of Cyclone Nargis back on their feet, a UN-led report said yesterday in the first comprehensive assessment of damage caused by the disaster that killed more than 84 000 people.Iraq sees hope of US troop withdrawal * BAGHDAD – Iraq’s government welcomed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama yesterday with word that it apparently shares his hope that US combat forces could leave by 2010.Syria plans diplomatic relations with Lebanon * BEIRUT – Syria’s foreign minister said yesterday his country was determined to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon for the first time since the two neighbours gained independence from France more than 60 years ago.