IN BRIEF (Page 12)

South Africa

Taxi drivers killed after funeral

Gunmen have shot dead 11 taxi drivers returning to Johannesburg from the funeral of a colleague in Kwa-Zulu Natal, a police spokesman said on Sunday. The drivers, who were members of the Gauteng taxi association, were in a minibus driving along the R74 when unknown gunmen launched an ambush and opened fire. Minibus taxis are the most popular form of transport in South Africa and violence is common by rival groups vying for dominance on profitable routes. On a single weekend in May, media reported the deaths of 10 people in violence related to minibus rivalries.

United States

Hostages freed after standoff

A woman was shot and killed when a gunman ran into a busy Los Angeles supermarket where he held dozens of people hostage for about three hours on Saturday before handcuffing himself and surrendering to police. No hostages were seriously hurt. About two hours before taking the hostages, police say the man shot his grandmother seven times and wounded another woman, who he forced into a car. Police chased the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with the man, who crashed into a pole outside the supermarket in the city's Silver Lake area and ran inside.

Iran

New Israeli law branded 'racist'

Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned a recent law approved by the Israeli Parliament as "racist", Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday. The "Jewish nation-state" law was passed on Thursday making Hebrew the country's national language, and Jerusalem as its capital. It will also grant Jews living abroad the right to return to Israel. "The illegitimate and racist Zionist regime (of Israel) was formed upon the occupation of Palestine and the massacre of its real owners, and the recent move by this regime's parliament is yet another testimony to the racist nature..." said Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.

United Kingdom

Fifth birthday for Prince George

A picture of a smiling Prince George was released by Britain's royal family on Saturday as Queen Elizabeth's great grandson, who is third in line to the throne, prepares to celebrate his fifth birthday. George, the oldest of Prince William and Kate's three children, was photographed in the garden of his home in Clarence House, central London, after the christening of his brother Louis earlier this month. George turned 5 on Sunday.

Reuters - Ap - Xinhua

(China Daily 07/23/2018 page12)