Russian parliament approves arms pact with US

Russia's parliament approved the first nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States in nearly a decade on Wednesday, voting to ratify the pact at the centre of improved ties between the former Cold War foes.

The Federation Council, Russia's upper parliament house, passed a bill required for ratification of the New START treaty, which Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev signed in April 2010. It is expected to enter into force within weeks. (Reuters)