Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71-26 -- New York Times
WASHINGTON — The Senate gave final approval on Wednesday to a new arms control treaty with Russia, scaling back leftover cold war nuclear arsenals and capping a surprisingly successful lame-duck session for President Obama just weeks after his party’s electoral debacle.
The 71-to-26 vote sends the treaty, known as New Start, to the president for his signature, and cements what is probably the most tangible foreign policy achievement of Mr. Obama’s two years in office. Thirteen Republicans joined a unanimous Democratic caucus to vote in favor, exceeding the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iran recruiting nuclear scientists for weapons programme.
Iraqi churches cancel Christmas festivities.
Gaza border tensions may lead to serious conflicts.
Iraqi parliament approves new Maliki government.
After steep gas price increase, truckers stay off the roads in Iran.
UN Middle East envoy: Israel has right to self defense.
Israel moving tank defense system near Gaza. Israel moves to counter Gaza militants' new weapon.
Lebanese PM will tell UN to stop Hariri tribunal.
ASIA
Taliban 'want base in neutral third country before peace talks begin'.
Indian opposition holds mass protest rally.
South Korean military prepares for largest-ever live-fire drill. North silent as South Korean army prepares to hold drill.
Warm Russian, Indian ties outlive Cold War. Russia is last in series of major powers to seal valuable deals with India.
NATO denies that U.S. plans ground raids into Pakistan.
China replaces senior Foreign Ministry official.
Frustration builds over high food prices in China.
AFRICA
US eyes bigger UN force in Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast risks return to civil war, UN warns. World Bank freezes loans to troubled Ivory Coast.
Kenya and Uganda boost security after grenade blast linked to Al Shabab.
Deadline and fears loom for Zimbabweans in S.Africa.
South Sudan vote clears hurdle as ballot forms arrive.
EUROPE
Russian paper to air WikiLeaks corruption material.
Cameras that caught Stockholm blast ordered down.
Greeks protest before 2011 austerity budget vote.
Italian students demonstrate against education reforms.
Russia calls Britain's expulsion of Russian diplomat 'unfriendly'.
US Lockerbie report: Scotland pressured to free Megrahi.
AMERICAS
Argentine ex-dictator sentenced to life in prison.
Deal reached on aid package for 9/11 responders.
US poised to approve nuclear arms pact with Russia.
Obama signing 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal.
Rain-soaked Calif. braces for biggest storm yet.
International court rules against Mexico's army.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
UK Christmas bomb plotters were radicalised in jail.
Obama administration readies indefinite detention order for Guantanamo detainees.
White House admits national intelligence chief was left in the dark about UK terrorism arrests. U.S. spy's chief appears ignorant of British plot.
Al Qaeda group contemplated poisoning food in U.S., officials say.
Al-Qaeda finds new friends.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Halliburton pays $35m to Nigeria over graft case.
U.S. Government liabilities rose $2 trillion in FY 2010: Treasury.
Bank of America wonders about WikiLeaks' planned 'megaleak'.
US economic growth revised up to 2.6% for third quarter.