31.   The issue will come to a head with the conclusion of a formal vote by a division of the International Astronomical Union.

32.   The formal vote is expected to be completed during the next two weeks.

33.   The panel did not take a formal vote on whether to recommend FDA approval of the drug, known as Meridia, or sibutramine.

34.   The Republican majority decided in November to re-elect Gingrich, but since then the ethics charges have cast some doubt on the formal vote.

35.   The panel is still discussing other questions and has yet to take a formal vote on whether to recommend approval of the drug, though.

36.   The union plans to select a target next month with a formal vote of its leadership.

37.   This has been the means by which Beijing has defeated formal votes on all but one of the previous measures against it.

38.   Until the formal vote was taken late Tuesday, advocates and representatives on opposite sides of the issue were uncertain what the outcome would be.

39.   When a candidate emerges with a majority, the full Assembly is convened and the members of the majority party unite behind that candidate in a formal vote.

40.   While Arafat says the clauses are long gone, the Israelis demanded a formal vote by the large Palestine National Council, which contains expatriates and terrorists living abroad.