91.   The UN General Assembly on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to approve a treaty banning all nuclear tests despite opposition from India which had threatened to derail it.

92.   Meanwhile in Jerusalem, the Israeli cabinet formally approved the treaty on Sunday following ratification in the Knesset or parliament on the eve of the signing ceremony.

93.   Of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, only Russia has failed formally to approve the treaty.

94.   Neither Moscow or Beijing has formally approved the treaty, but the US move may well spark fears of domination by Washington and nudge the two into ratification.