World datelines

Afghanistan: Deadly airstrikes

KABUL — NATO and Afghan troops called in airstrikes during a battle against insurgents in central Afghanistan, killing 20 suspected militants and several civilians, officials said Tuesday.

In a separate clash in eastern Afghanistan, a NATO soldier was killed and two others were wounded Tuesday during a firefight with insurgents in Kunar province, NATO said.

Egypt: A bin Laden call for war

CAIRO — Osama bin Laden renewed his call for a holy war against a proposed peacekeeping force in Sudan's wartorn region of Darfur in a message that appeared on Web sites Tuesday.

The audio recording was accompanied by a still picture of the al-Qaida leader, and excerpts were aired Monday by Al-Jazeera television.

Gaza Strip: Militant killed

GAZA CITY — Israel killed a top Gaza militant with a missile strike on his car Tuesday, prompting threats of more rocket attacks from Gaza on Israeli border towns.

Earlier in the day, a Palestinian prisoner died of injuries sustained during a riot Monday at an Israeli desert prison. Israeli forces also killed two members of the Islamic Jihad group in a West Bank raid.

Indonesia: Bird flu kills girl

JAKARTA — An Indonesian child has died from bird flu after apparently coming into contact with dead poultry, health officials said Wednesday.

The 4-year-old girl from Tangerang, about 12 miles west of Jakarta, died Monday after being hospitalized for two days, said Nyoman Kandun, a senior health ministry official.

Italy: 7 bronze statues stolen

ROME — Burglars broke into a foundry in Tuscany over the weekend and made off with seven bronze statues by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, officials said Tuesday.

The works are worth $5 million and depict figures including a ballerina, a sparrow and a male nude, all designed in the rounded style of Botero's art, an official with the Carabinieri paramilitary police said.

Mexico: Firefighting assistance

TIJUANA — About 60 Mexican firefighters crossed the border to help fight the California wildfires — then returned home as a separate blaze roared up on the Mexican side.