A resolution sponsored by Japan calling for the total elimination of nuclear weapons has been approved by a disarmament committee at the U.N. General Assembly, with Britain for the first time among its 97 cosponsors.
One hundred and fifty-nine countries backed the resolution Monday with North Korea casting the only no vote. Twelve other countries, including China, Pakistan, India and Syria, abstained.
It is the 19th straight year that the resolution has passed the First Committee. It will move to a vote in a plenary session at the General Assembly in early December.