MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia and the United States have struck a deal to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, a move that preserves the last major pact of its kind between the world’s two biggest nuclear powers.
The treaty, which was due to expire next month, limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers that Russia and the United States can deploy.
The Kremlin declared the breakthrough, which was widely anticipated, in a statement announcing that President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden had spoken for the first time since Biden took office last week.
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MIDDLE EAST
Russia suggests Mideast ministerial peace conference.
In locked-down Lebanon, many fear poverty more than virus.
IMF says Iraq has requested emergency assistance, talks ongoing.
Iran arrests US dual national on spying charges.
Iran approves Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.
Israel's top general says its military is refreshing operational plans against Iran.
Greece and Turkey resume talks to try to avert military escalation.
Israel hails first official visit to Sudan as relations begin.
ASIA
Myanmar army raises prospect of coup after voter-fraud claims.
Afghan government envoys accuse Taliban of snubbing talks.
Coronavirus digest: Indonesia surpasses 1 million infections.
Xi Jinping warns of 'new cold war' if US keeps up protectionism.
Violent clashes as Indian farmers storm Delhi's Red Fort.
North Korean envoy defects in possible sign that Kim's power base is 'drifting'.
AFRICA
Central African Republic says dozens of rebels killed in counter-offensive.
Central African Republic surrenders war crimes suspect to ICC.
Clashes break out in Tunisia after protester dies of injuries.
Uganda ends house arrest of opposition leader Bobi Wine.
Egypt’s political prisoners ‘denied healthcare and subject to reprisals’.
Thousands left homeless as Storm Eloise hits southern Africa.
EUROPE
Coronavirus: EU to tighten vaccine exports amid row with AstraZeneca.
UK first in Europe to pass grim milestone of 100,000 Covid-19 deaths.
UK vaccination drive expands as virus toll nears 100,000.
Covid restrictions lead to third night of rioting in Netherlands.
EU holds off on fresh sanctions over Russia's arrest of Navalny.
Joe Biden and G7 press Russia's Vladimir Putin over Alexei Navalny arrest.
Navalny’s team calls new protests in Russia for his release.
Vladimir Putin: Palace in Navalny report 'doesn't belong to me'.
Italian PM Conte to resign following pandemic criticism.
Estonia's first female PM sworn in as new government takes power.
AMERICAS
Mexico president rebuked for careless response to Covid after testing positive.
Donald Trump opens the Office of the Former President in Palm Beach, Florida.
Burnt bodies found in vehicles on US-Mexico border.
Widespread internet outage hits U.S. East Coast.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Canada parliament labels US far-right Proud Boys group 'a terrorist entity'.
Tajikistani IS cell member in Germany jailed for 7 years.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street edges up as earnings season gains speed.
Pfizer develops booster shot amid fears its COVID-19 vaccine is less effective against highly-infectious variants from Brazil and South Africa.
Recession is over for the richest few, while billions will live in poverty for at least a decade – Oxfam.
Pandemic prompts Super Bowl ad rethink in US.
