World datelines

Afghanistan: Battle kills 3

KABUL — Taliban fighters attacked a detachment of German troops who were on a bridge-building and mine-clearing mission, triggering a gunbattle that left three soldiers dead, the German Defense Ministry said.

Five other Germans were wounded in the fighting Friday southwest of Kunduz city, the ministry said. German troops and Afghan police exchanged fire with their attackers for about an hour, with fighting resuming three hours later, local government chief Abdul Wahid Omar Khil said. He estimated about 200 Taliban militants were involved.

Bolivia: Teacher lauded

LA PAZ— Bolivia announced plans Friday to honor its native son Jaime Escalante, whose success teaching advanced math at a tough Los Angeles high school inspired the movie "Stand and Deliver."

Escalante, who died Tuesday at his son's home near Sacramento, Calif., will be recognized posthumously as a "cultural ambassador" for his work on behalf of people who have been discriminated against, Culture Minister Zulma Yugar said. A teacher in La Paz before emigrating to the United States in the 1960s, Escalante studied English at night for years to get his California teaching credentials and be able to return to the classroom. His achievements at Garfield High in East Los Angeles inspired the 1988 movie starring Edward James Olmos.

Guyana: Deadly exorcism

CANAL NUMBER TWO— A 15-year-old girl has died after neighbors and a local pastor tried to treat her convulsions with an exorcism at a church, and Guyanese police said Friday they are investigating.

The same pastor, Ewart Cummings, presided at the girl's funeral as the child's mother, father and other relatives shouted accusations at one another and at the pastor. Police were summoned to the funeral and ordered the pastor to issue a quick prayer to end the service. Police Commander Colin West said results from a preliminary autopsy were inconclusive but an investigation continues. No one has been charged.

Mexico: Shootout kills 5

MEXICO CITY — Five gunmen died in a shootout with soldiers in the border city of Reynosa early Friday, the latest of a series of clashes between troops and alleged drug traffickers in northeastern Mexico, authorities said.