Vote upholds international whaling ban

The International Whaling Commission today voted to uphold an almost two-decade-old ban on commercial whaling, dealing a setback to Japan and its allies who favour a resumption.

Commission members voted 29-23 against the proposal at their meeting in Ulsan, South Korea, which needed a 75% majority to pass. There were five abstentions, including countries that have often voted with Japan on other issues at the commission.