News In Brief

Over US 'no,' UNESCO approves a new budget

The United States cast the only negative vote Wednesday when UNESCO's general conference overwhelmingly approved a compromise budget ceiling for the next two years. The provisional budget limit of $374 million was approved by 126 nations. Ten, including Britain and West Germany, abstained.

The result left the US isolated from its allies over how rigidly to insist on spending curbs by UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). UNESCO has been divided by controversy for several years, and the US has said it will decide before January whether to remain in the organization.