IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Spain

1,000 evacuated amid forest fire

A forest fire in southern Spain has forced the evacuation of 1,000 people and is threatening a national park famous for its biodiversity, authorities said on Sunday. The flames have advanced westward and have entered Donana National Park, one of Spain's most important nature reserves and home to the highly endangered Iberian lynx. "The fire has entered in the limits of the reserve, and that is where we are focusing our efforts," Jose Gregorio Fiscal Lopez from the regional Andalusian authority in charge of the environment, told Spanish television.

Australia

Police use pepper spray at rally

Australian police fired pepper spray to break up clashes between right-wing nationalists and anti-racism protesters on the streets of Melbourne on Sunday, the latest protest held by anti-immigration groups in the country. Far-right activists from the True Blue Crew, which says it is opposed to refugees and the "Islamization" of Australia, faced off with members of a left-wing coalition promoting tolerance in the city.

Albania

Election seen as key to EU bid

Albanians voted on Sunday in a general election that follows a landmark agreement between the country's two biggest political parties to look past their bitter differences and back efforts for Albania to eventually join the European Union. After earning EU candidate status in 2014, Tirana has struggled to pass important reforms vital for its bid to join the EU.

Spain

224 rescued in Mediterranean

Spain's maritime rescue service said it rescued 224 migrants from five different boats trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. The rescue service said it reached two boats, carrying 66 and 77 migrants, in the Strait of Gibraltar overnight. A third boat with nine migrants was intercepted around daybreak on Saturday in the same waters. A few hours later, a Portuguese plane with the European Union Frontex border patrols spotted two more boats to the east, carrying 35 and 37 migrants each.

Iraq

Two-thirds of city retaken from IS

Iraqi forces have retaken two-thirds of old Mosul, a week after launching an offensive against the Islamic State group's last bastion in the city, a senior commander said on Sunday.

Lieutenant Colonel Salam al-Obeidi was speaking to AFP inside the devastated Old City, about 50 meters from what is left of the "Hadba" leaning minaret the jihadists blew up four days earlier. "Sixty-five to 70 percent of the Old City has been liberated, there is less than a square kilometer left to retake," said Obeidi, from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service that has spearheaded the assault.

(China Daily 06/26/2017 page12)