World datelines

China: Bribes alleged

BEIJING — A government-owned newspaper alleged Wednesday that executives from all 16 Chinese steel mills participating in iron ore price talks this year were bribed by Rio Tinto employees.

The English-language China Daily quoted an unnamed "industry insider" saying that the Anglo-Australian mining giant bribed China's largest steel companies, all members of the China Iron & Steel Association, to get access to industry data. The 16 companies were not named.

The accusation is the most wide-reaching to date in a case that is straining Australia-Chinese ties. On July 5, four employees, including Australian executive Stern Hu, were detained on espionage charges amid contentious iron ore price talks.

Egypt: Summit meet

SHARM EL-SHEIK — Cuba's president on Wednesday called for an international financial system that better takes into account developing countries' interests, as the global recession captured the spotlight at a summit of non-aligned nations.

Raul Castro's remarks at the opening session of the two-day Non-Aligned Movement's meeting in this Red Sea resort were echoed by other leaders and build on earlier discussions among officials from the 118-nation grouping of mostly of African, Asian and Latin American nations.

Iraq: Bombings

BAGHDAD — A suicide bomber on Wednesday killed six people, including an Iraqi policeman, in an attack on security forces in a former insurgent stronghold in Iraq's western Anbar province, police said. A Baghdad bombing killed five other people.

The attacks highlighted the security challenges still facing Iraq despite a sharp drop in violence, and the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraqi cities at the end of last month.

New Zealand: Quake

WELLINGTON — Water pipes were broken and fallen power lines lay on the ground Thursday in Invercargill, the southern New Zealand city closest to an earthquake that struck off the coast the night before.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand's western coast Wednesday, generating a small tsunami. No injuries or major damage were reported.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii warned that a tsunami was generated, but it later said the waves were less than 8 inches in height and the warning was canceled.