Stories for October 20th 2014

Monday, October 20th 2014 - 22:17 UTC
UK businesses export support plan represented £49.1 billion to the economy

The number of United Kingdom businesses receiving export support has increased by 50% in the last financial year, Trade Minister Lord Livingston announced on Monday. This translates into a total of 47,960 businesses in 2013 to 2014 which exported for the first time or found new markets through its extensive network of specialists in the UK and in British embassies around the world.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 22:07 UTC
Armagh cathedral convenes universal prayer for peace and dialogue among nations

A mass in support of His Holiness Pope Francis’ Universal Prayer for Peace and Dialogue among Nations was held last Saturday in Armagh, North Ireland at St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral led by Archbishop of All Ireland, Eamon Martin.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 21:56 UTC
AOA calls on CCAMLR to agree on marine protection of the Ross Sea and East Antarctica

As representatives of the 25 Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meet this week in Hobart, where they will decide the fate of two key protection proposals in the Ross Sea and East Antarctica, the Antarctic Ocean Alliance (AOA) (*) called on the member countries to honor their conservation commitments and finally agree to lasting and significant Southern Ocean protection.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 08:46 UTC
Morales 'king' of Bolivia; his two thirds majority in congress open the way to reform the constitution

President Evo Morales swept to a third term with 61% of the vote, electoral officials said in confirming the result. The October 12 balloting was a massive vote of support and a strong mandate to expand his reforms which will have a swift legislative discussion since Morales party obtained two thirds of the Legislative Assembly benches.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 08:31 UTC
First time voters in Uruguay more attracted to opposition candidate Lacalle Pou

Uruguay's general elections next Sunday are not only a neck-to-neck dispute between the two main presidential candidates, (unpredictable only six months ago), but are also revealing that the ruling coalition has lost its dominant allure over new voters, according to pollsters.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 08:17 UTC
Dilma admits Petrobras funds were illegally diverted to finance political parties

Brazilian President and candidate for reelection Dilma Rousseff admitted that funds were illegally diverted at the state-run oil firm Petrobras, allegedly to benefit political parties allied with the government, and she promised to seek reimbursement of that money.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 08:02 UTC
Catholic synod reveals deeps divisions on gays and divorce: strong conservative resistance

Pope Francis closed on Sunday an assembly of Catholic bishops that revealed deep divisions on how to reach out to homosexuals and divorced people, saying the Church should not be afraid of change and new challenges.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 07:54 UTC
Cruise passenger suspected of possible contact with Ebola patient tested negative

A Dallas hospital lab worker who spent much of a cruise holiday in isolation after possible exposure to Ebola has tested negative for the disease, and in Texas some of the dozens of people still being monitored were expected to be cleared by Monday.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 07:47 UTC
Switzerland and Argentina closer to deal on double taxation and sharing tax information

Switzerland took a step forward on implementing its double taxation agreement (DTA) with Argentina as the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the deal and submitted it to parliament for approval. Meanwhile, in Argentina the agreement has already been passed by the Foreign Affairs and Budget Committees of the Lower House and was cleared for debate.
Monday, October 20th 2014 - 07:30 UTC
WHO admits full-scale battle with tobacco industry, which appeals to 'devious channels'

The sixth session of the Conference of the parties (COP6) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) concluded in Moscow. Several landmark decisions were adopted in the course of the six-day session, regarded as one of the most successful in the WHO FCTC’s history.