Europe

ROME, Dec 14 (NNN-XINHUA) – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), reported yesterday that, it received a new grant worth 150 million U.S. dollars, to help fund assistance to vulnerable households in war-torn Yemen.

The contribution was provided by the World Bank, based on multi-agency contributions. It more than doubles the amount of money UN agencies have provided for resilience projects in Yemen, since early 2021.

Dec 14 (Reuters) - Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers carried out a seven-hour patrol flight over the Sea of Japan.

The bombers - capable of carrying nuclear bombs and nuclear-armed cruise missiles - were accompanied by Russian SU-class fighter jets, the ministry said.

BOROVSK, Russia, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Over 20 years, Russian pensioner Vladimir Ovchinnikov gained a following for his street murals in the small town of Borovsk, some 70 miles (115 km) southwest of Moscow, many of which depicted the plight of victims of Stalinist-era repressions.

But on March 25, just over a month after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, Ovchinnikov created a new work, one that would place him in serious legal jeopardy.

LONDON, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom's (UK) consumer prices index (CPI) rose by 10.7 percent in November, down from 11.1 percent in October, according to data released on Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

"Prices are still rising, but by less than this time last year with the most notable example of this being motor fuels. Tobacco and clothing prices also rose, but again by less than we saw this time last year," said ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner.

ROME (AP) — A Vatican cardinal sued a Canadian woman for defamation in a Canadian court on Tuesday after she accused him of sexual assault while he was archbishop of Quebec.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, head of the Vatican’s bishops’ office, is seeking 100,000 Canadian dollars (US$74,000) in compensatory damages for “injury to his reputation, honor and dignity,” according to a copy of the complaint provided by Ouellet’s office.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch court on Wednesday upheld the Netherlands’ ban on assisted suicide, a setback for activists who said the prohibition infringes on their right to determine when their lives end.

The Hague District Court rejected the activists’ argument that the ban violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

LONDON (AP) — Helicopters and lifeboats were dispatched to the English Channel off the coast of Kent in southern England to rescue a small boat that capsized in the freezing water, authorities said Wednesday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed in comments before Parliament there was a loss of life but offered no specifics. Home Secretary Suella Braverman was expected to update the House of Commons later Wednesday.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities said they thwarted a Russian attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region Wednesday as their air defense system intercepted and destroyed 13 explosive-laden drones, although wreckage from some of them damaged five buildings. No casualties were reported.

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed over telephone on Tuesday with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin the cooperation of the two countries within the framework of international organizations, including the CIS and the CSTO, according to a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

MINSK, December 13. /TASS/: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik to the post of foreign minister.

"Sergey Aleinik, who most recently worked as a first deputy foreign minister, has been appointed foreign minister," the BelTA news service said on Tuesday.

Also, Andrey Lukyanovich has been appointed commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces. He most recently was a deputy commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, BelTA said.