Quicktakes

Vote on CTBT

WASHINGTON: The Republican majority leadership in the US Senate scheduled a vote next week on the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, angering Democrats who wanted more time to campaign on the issue. The US also said it expected the upcoming conference on CTBT to pass a strong resolution urging India, Pakistan and other nations to sign and ratify the treaty.

Hostage crisis

BANGKOK: Gunmen holding at least 30 hostages in the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok have threatened to shoot one hostage every half hour, starting Saturday, if their demand for an escape helicopter is not met, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Kannur blast

Kannur: Two CPI-Mactivists were killed and two others seriously injured in a powerful bomb explosion at Kathirur near here on Thursday night.