Briefly

SOUTH AFRICA

Mass shooting leaves 12 dead in Johannesburg

Gunmen stormed an informal settlement near Johannesburg and shot dead 12 people overnight, South African police said on Wednesday. The carnage unfolded before midnight on Tuesday, when around 10 attackers were driven to the Jumpers settlement and dropped off before storming the area, according to a police statement. The suspects opened fire on residents at multiple locations before fleeing in the same vehicle. Eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the scene, and another male victim died later in the hospital. Nine people who sustained gunshot wounds were taken to medical facilities for treatment, police said. The motive for the attack remains unclear and no arrests have been made. Police said an intensive investigation is underway and urged residents to remain vigilant as efforts continue to track down those responsible.

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

6 countries issue new sanctions on settlers

A coalition of six countries issued new joint sanctions on Tuesday on Israeli settlers and settlements in the West Bank, including a cabinet minister already sanctioned by Western countries, escalating pressure on Israel over a wave of violence against Palestinians in the occupied territory. The top diplomats of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Norway and New Zealand announced the moves in a joint statement. "Extremist violent settlers, with the backing of their supporters, continue to attack Palestinians and abuse their human rights," they said. "For too long, violent settlers have been able to act with near impunity, and settlement expansion and creation of outposts continue with the support and facilitation of the government of Israel."

XINHUA-AGENCIES