Stories for October 31st 2011

Monday, October 31st 2011 - 21:23 UTC
US stops funding of UNESCO following admission of Palestine

United States said on Monday it had stopped funding UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency, following its vote to grant the Palestinians full membership.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 20:25 UTC
Palestine becomes full member 195 of UNESCO (14 against, 52 abstentions)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO voted on Monday to admit Palestine as a full member of the Paris-based agency.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 20:16 UTC
Over 23 million Europeans unemployed; inflation reaches 3% in October

Over 23 million are unemployed in the 27 countries of the Euro zone, the statistical office of the European Union Eurostat informed Monday.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 20:12 UTC
For Euro aid package to work “all elements must be implemented” says Germany

The package of measures agreed by European leaders this month to stem their debt crisis will only work “if all elements are implemented”, German Deputy Finance Minister Joerg Asmussen said in an interview Monday.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 19:33 UTC
Brazil is again a country of immigrants: two million expats returned in five years

Millions of foreigners have moved into Brazil attracted by the economic expansion of recent years, while the number of Brazilians leaving the country has dropped dramatically, according to official data released last week.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 19:27 UTC
Argentina drastically limits the purchase of ‘cheap dollars’ fuelled by inflation

Argentine Vice-president elect and Economy Minister Amado Boudou reiterated Monday that the new rules for foreign currency purchase in effect as of today are aimed towards discovering the “origin” of funds as opposed to the “destination” of the money.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 19:10 UTC
Brazil awaking to the possible prospect of political life without Lula da Silva

Brazil's popular former President Lula da Silva started chemotherapy treatment for throat cancer Monday with his doctors voicing confidence in his chances of being cured within four months.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 05:57 UTC
Sometime Monday we’ll be seven billion people in the world, says UN division

With more than two babies born every second, the arms on the world population clocks are whirling round so fast that no-one really knows how many people there are on Earth.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 05:55 UTC
Former guerrilla elected Bogotá mayor says reconciliation and peace are possible

Colombians elected one-time guerrilla Gustavo Petro as Bogotá mayor, the country’s second most powerful post after the presidency, in a poll on Sunday devoid of the bloodshed that marked campaigning.
Monday, October 31st 2011 - 05:50 UTC
Argentina could finally decide to name ambassador in London, says Clarin

While Argentina’ Foreign Affairs ministry prepares for a renewal of its main officials, according to Buenos Aires daily Clarin, among the possible policy changes beginning December 10, is naming ambassador in London, a post which remains vacant since 2008 when Federico Mirré period was over.