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World in brief: 30.07.2018

GREECE: Hundreds of people attended a memorial service today in the seaside resort of Mati for the scores who perished in wildfires that devastated the area.

Bishop Kyrillos presided over the service at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, six days after the fire killed at least 86 people.

Dozens of volunteer divers continued searching for other possible victims after hundreds fled into the sea on July 23 to escape the flames.

CHINA: Police officer Zhang Yongguang became the 54th fugitive former official to return from abroad today to face charges of taking bribes.

Mr Zhang, who worked in the southern city of Shenzhen, fled the country in 2010.

State news agency Xinhua gave no details of charges or possible penalties, but the national anti-corruption agency suggested that he had surrendered bribes he received.

INDONESIA: A strong and shallow earthquake this morning killed at least 14 people and injured more than 160 on Lombok island, a popular tourist destination.

The quake damaged more than 1,000 houses and tremors were felt in neighbouring Bali.

Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the casualty total could increase as data was still being collected from across the island.

IRAQ: Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi suspended electricity minister Qassim al-Fahdawi today over a power crisis that has spawned mushrooming protests.

Mr Abadi said the suspension would last until an investigation is concluded.

Despite billions of dollars spent to repair the power network since its destruction by the 2003 US-led invasion, many cities and towns still suffer severe power cuts and rolling blackouts.

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