IN BRIEF (Page 12)

United Nations

Russia blocks condemnation

Russia blocked a Western-backed UN Security Council statement on Saturday that would have condemned the indiscriminate shelling in Ukraine's southeastern city of Mariupol that has killed about 30 civilians and injured more than 90. The blocked statement called for "an immediate de-escalation of violence", implementation of a September cease-fire and an "objective investigation" of Saturday's rocket fire in Mariupol. Russia's UN Mission said Western council members have never condemned any statements or actions by Ukraine's government.