US Senate ratifies 'START'

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev welcomed the ratification of a new U.S.-Russian arms reduction deal by the U.S. Senate. The New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) restricts both nations to a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads, down from the current ceiling of 2,200. It was signed by Russian and U.S. presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama, respectively, in April. The agreement will come into force after ratification by both houses of the Russian parliament.