Obama: 'Nuclear weapons represent... the darkest days of the Cold War'
US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have agreed a new nuclear arms reduction treaty after months of negotiations.
The treaty limits both sides to 1,550 warheads, about 30% less than currently allowed, the White House said.
The deal replaces the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. The leaders will sign the pact in Prague on 8 April.
President Obama hailed the treaty as the most comprehensive weapons control agreement in nearly two decades.
"With this agreement, the United States and Russia - the two largest nuclear powers in the world - also send a clear signal that we intend to lead," he said at the White House.
"By upholding our own commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we strengthen our global efforts to stop the spread of these weapons, and to ensure that other nations meet their own responsibilities," he said.
In Russia, President Medvedev's spokeswoman told the Interfax news agency: "This treaty reflects the balance of interests of both nations."
The treaty must be ratified by the US Senate and the Russian Duma.
New limits
In a speech in Prague last April, Mr Obama set out his vision of moving towards a world without nuclear weapons.
Both sides agreed to cut their arsenals last year, but disagreements on verification have held up a deal.
TREATY LIMITS
Warheads: 1,550 (74% lower than the 1991 Start Treaty and 30% lower than the 2002 Moscow Treaty)
Launchers: 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments
Missiles: 700 deployed intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments
US-Russia deal 'marks new start'
'Symbolic win' for Medvedev
Obama's statement in full
Global map of nuclear arsenals
The US is said to have more than 2,000 deployed strategic nuclear weapons, while Russia is believed to have more than 2,500.
The new agreement - which came in a phone call between the two leaders - limits the US and Russia to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each.
The cuts are substantial - well over 30% for the Russians and around 25% for the Americans, whose current arsenal is smaller, says BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins.
Both sides would have seven years after the treaty's ratification to carry out the reduction in long-range nuclear warheads.
The agreement also calls for cutting by about half the missiles and bombers that carry the weapons to their targets.
It limits missile delivery vehicles to 800 deployed and non-deployed intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, submarine-launched ballistic missile launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear weapons.
The cap on deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine launched missiles is set at 700, the White House said.
The agreement includes a new verification mechanism that will ensure the "irreversibility, verifiability and transparency" of the reduction process, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency said.
Moral high ground
The pact establishes a "legally-binding" linkage between offensive weapons and missile defence systems, the Kremlin said in a statement, and "will demand the deployment of all strategic offensive weapons exclusively on national territories".
ANALYSIS
jonathan marcus
Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent
This agreement marks a significant foreign policy breakthrough for President Barack Obama. It is the first comprehensive deal on nuclear arms since the Start Treaty signed back in July 1991.
The reductions in this new treaty sound significant, but they leave both sides still with many more weapons than they need to deter the other. But it marks the first step in the US president's ambitious arms control agenda.
The US-Russia deal sends an important signal ahead of a crucial meeting in May to review the nuclear non-proliferation treaty - the cornerstone of efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Both Washington and Moscow want to be seen to be reducing their nuclear arsenals - something non-nuclear nations demand if the whole non-proliferation regime is to work effectively.
Moscow has strongly opposed US plans to set up missile defences in Europe, and has insisted on explicit recognition of the link between offensive and defensive systems in any new strategic arms reduction pact.
The timing and symbolism of the deal are crucial, enabling both countries to claim some moral high ground going into next month's Washington Summit on nuclear security, and the critical talks in May aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons around the world, our correspondent says.
Presidents Obama and Medvedev hope the new deal will increase pressure on Iran, in particular, to abandon any ambition to develop nuclear weapons, he adds.
The agreement - called the Measures to Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms - replaces the Cold War-era Start treaty signed in 1991 and the Moscow Treaty signed in 2002.
Both US and Russian officials expressed confidence that lawmakers would ratify the treaty.
US AND RUSSIA NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Nuclear arsenals
Friday, March 26, 2010
South Korean navy ship sinks near sea border
South Korean navy ship sinks near sea border with North
The ship was carrying about 100 personnel
About 40 sailors are missing after a South Korean navy ship sank near the border with North Korea, Yonhap news agency said citing military officials.
The patrol vessel, with 104 people aboard, sank after an unexplained explosion tore through its hull.
Several sailors also died, officials are quoted saying as divers prepared to return to the scene after daybreak.
South Korean officials played down earlier reports that it may have been the result of an attack by North Korea.
There was no sign of the North's military in the area where the ship sank, Yonhap said citing officials.
The military earlier said 58 sailors were rescued from near Baengnyeong island by several navy and coastguard vessels.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who had convened an emergency meeting of security officials, had ordered the military to focus on rescuing the sailors, Yonhap news agency reported.
The police force was put on heightened alert in the capital, Seoul.
The Cheonan, a 1,200-tonne corvette, began sinking about 2130 local time (1230 GMT) on Friday, after an explosion, the South Korean Navy said.
A South Korean presidential spokeswoman said it was premature to say what caused the Cheonan to sink.
Strained ties
There were reports that another South Korean ship had fired shots toward an unidentified ship in the North following the alleged torpedo attack.
One report, quoting the joint chiefs of staff, said the target turned out to be a flock of birds.
PREVIOUS CLASHES
Map
2009: One North Korean sailor killed in a naval battle
2002: Four South Korean sailors and an estimated 30 North Koreans killed in a naval battle
1999: At least 17 North Korean sailors believed killed in naval fire fight
1998: South Korea captures a North Korean mini-submarine in its waters
1996: A North Korean submarine runs aground in South Korean waters
The apparent clash comes at a time of tension between the two Koreas. International talks aimed at ending the communist nation's nuclear ambitions have been stalled for months.
Economic ties between the neighbours have also faltered, with continuing rows over both cross-border tourism and a joint economic zone at Kaesong.
The disputed sea boundary itself has seen numerous incidents, most recently in January and February.
In January, North Korea fired artillery into the sea near the disputed maritime border, as part of a "military drill". South Korea returned fire, but no injuries were reported.
The following month, North Korea declared four areas near the sea border to be naval firing zones, according to the South Korean military, and deployed multiple rocket launchers close to the frontier.
Deadly naval clashes happened in 1999 and in 2002 and the latest in November 2009 when a fire-fight left a North Korean patrol boat in flames and one person dead.
The South Korean vessel alleged that the North Korean vessel had crossed the disputed sea border - a charge North Korea denied.
South Korea recognises the Northern Limit Line, drawn unilaterally by the US-led United Nations Command to demarcate the sea border at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The line has never been accepted by North Korea.
The ship was carrying about 100 personnel
About 40 sailors are missing after a South Korean navy ship sank near the border with North Korea, Yonhap news agency said citing military officials.
The patrol vessel, with 104 people aboard, sank after an unexplained explosion tore through its hull.
Several sailors also died, officials are quoted saying as divers prepared to return to the scene after daybreak.
South Korean officials played down earlier reports that it may have been the result of an attack by North Korea.
There was no sign of the North's military in the area where the ship sank, Yonhap said citing officials.
The military earlier said 58 sailors were rescued from near Baengnyeong island by several navy and coastguard vessels.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who had convened an emergency meeting of security officials, had ordered the military to focus on rescuing the sailors, Yonhap news agency reported.
The police force was put on heightened alert in the capital, Seoul.
The Cheonan, a 1,200-tonne corvette, began sinking about 2130 local time (1230 GMT) on Friday, after an explosion, the South Korean Navy said.
A South Korean presidential spokeswoman said it was premature to say what caused the Cheonan to sink.
Strained ties
There were reports that another South Korean ship had fired shots toward an unidentified ship in the North following the alleged torpedo attack.
One report, quoting the joint chiefs of staff, said the target turned out to be a flock of birds.
PREVIOUS CLASHES
Map
2009: One North Korean sailor killed in a naval battle
2002: Four South Korean sailors and an estimated 30 North Koreans killed in a naval battle
1999: At least 17 North Korean sailors believed killed in naval fire fight
1998: South Korea captures a North Korean mini-submarine in its waters
1996: A North Korean submarine runs aground in South Korean waters
The apparent clash comes at a time of tension between the two Koreas. International talks aimed at ending the communist nation's nuclear ambitions have been stalled for months.
Economic ties between the neighbours have also faltered, with continuing rows over both cross-border tourism and a joint economic zone at Kaesong.
The disputed sea boundary itself has seen numerous incidents, most recently in January and February.
In January, North Korea fired artillery into the sea near the disputed maritime border, as part of a "military drill". South Korea returned fire, but no injuries were reported.
The following month, North Korea declared four areas near the sea border to be naval firing zones, according to the South Korean military, and deployed multiple rocket launchers close to the frontier.
Deadly naval clashes happened in 1999 and in 2002 and the latest in November 2009 when a fire-fight left a North Korean patrol boat in flames and one person dead.
The South Korean vessel alleged that the North Korean vessel had crossed the disputed sea border - a charge North Korea denied.
South Korea recognises the Northern Limit Line, drawn unilaterally by the US-led United Nations Command to demarcate the sea border at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The line has never been accepted by North Korea.
Israeli tanks 'enter Gaza' after deadly clashes
Israeli tanks are reported to have advanced into the Gaza Strip following clashes with Palestinians in which two Israeli soldiers died.
Witnesses in Gaza said tanks and bulldozers were moving towards the southern town of Khan Younis.
They also said there had been firing from the Israeli navy along the Gaza coastline.
It is the first time Israeli soldiers have died in Gaza since Israel's 22-day offensive there more than a year ago.
Reports say at least two Palestinians have also been killed.
Israel says the fighting started when its troops crossed into Gaza after spotting militants planting explosives along the border.
Reports from inside Gaza say the militants then tried to capture an Israeli soldier.
Retaliation
The BBC's Jon Donnison, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, says many inside Gaza will now expect retaliation from Israel to be stepped up following the deaths of the soldiers.
The army said an officer and a conscript died when gunmen fired on a military patrol inside the Gaza Stip. Two soldiers were injured and two Palestinian fighters killed in the clash, it said.
The two soldiers killed were named by Israel's Haaretz newspaper as Eliraz Peretz, 31, and 21-year-old Ilan Sebiatkovsky.
map
Army spokeswoman Avital Leibovich described their deaths as "tragic" and "painful".
"I think it's true to say that this is one of the fiercest days we have had since operation Cast Lead happened," she said, referring to the Israeli offensive.
A ceasefire between Israel and Islamist militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza, has largely held since the Israeli offensive.
However, hundreds of rockets have been fired into southern Israel by militants in Gaza.
Hamas's armed wing - the al-Qassam Brigades - said in a statement sent to the BBC that it had killed the two soldiers.
Speaking to Reuters news agency, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida is quoted as saying: "This was our work, but was carried out for defence."
Militants have been holding another Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, for more than three years.
Witnesses in Gaza said tanks and bulldozers were moving towards the southern town of Khan Younis.
They also said there had been firing from the Israeli navy along the Gaza coastline.
It is the first time Israeli soldiers have died in Gaza since Israel's 22-day offensive there more than a year ago.
Reports say at least two Palestinians have also been killed.
Israel says the fighting started when its troops crossed into Gaza after spotting militants planting explosives along the border.
Reports from inside Gaza say the militants then tried to capture an Israeli soldier.
Retaliation
The BBC's Jon Donnison, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, says many inside Gaza will now expect retaliation from Israel to be stepped up following the deaths of the soldiers.
The army said an officer and a conscript died when gunmen fired on a military patrol inside the Gaza Stip. Two soldiers were injured and two Palestinian fighters killed in the clash, it said.
The two soldiers killed were named by Israel's Haaretz newspaper as Eliraz Peretz, 31, and 21-year-old Ilan Sebiatkovsky.
map
Army spokeswoman Avital Leibovich described their deaths as "tragic" and "painful".
"I think it's true to say that this is one of the fiercest days we have had since operation Cast Lead happened," she said, referring to the Israeli offensive.
A ceasefire between Israel and Islamist militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza, has largely held since the Israeli offensive.
However, hundreds of rockets have been fired into southern Israel by militants in Gaza.
Hamas's armed wing - the al-Qassam Brigades - said in a statement sent to the BBC that it had killed the two soldiers.
Speaking to Reuters news agency, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida is quoted as saying: "This was our work, but was carried out for defence."
Militants have been holding another Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, for more than three years.
Ada Lovelace voted most popular technology heroine
Ada Lovelace met Charles Babbage in 1833.
Ada Lovelace has emerged as the most popular role model in a day dedicated to celebrating women working in the fields of science and technology.
So far, 2,239 people around the world have posted blogs, videos and podcasts online nominating their heroines.
Additionally, events were held in London, Copenhagen, Dresden, Montreal and Brazil to mark the day, named after Ada Lovelace, held on 24 March.
Ada Lovelace worked with mathematician Charles Babbage in the 1800s.
Mr Babbage's invention, the Analytical Engine, formed the basis of modern computing.
Ada Lovelace is therefore credited with writing the world's first computer program when she came up with a way of using the machine, which was never actually built, to calculate a mathematical sequence known as Bernoulli numbers.
Other nominees included scientist Marie Curie, mathematician-turned-actress Hedy Lamarr, programmer Grace Hopper and Lisbeth Salander, fictional creation of the late author Stieg Larsson.
Wonder women
"For years I've worked in technology, and every time you see a list of the top people in tech, it's dominated by men," said Suw Charman-Anderson, who created Ada Lovelace Day in 2009 and runs the annual event.
"There's always a discussion about where the women in technology are. I thought, I know loads of women in technology. Why are we asking where they are?"
Ms Charman-Anderson invited people to nominate any woman in technology who had been a positive influence or inspiration - including teachers, parents and lecturers.
She chose broadcaster Maggie Philbin as her own role model, having watched her present BBC science programme Tomorrow's World during her teenage years.
"Here was a woman who looked very cool and talked about technology articulately - technology was second nature to her," she told BBC News.
"This was someone who understood what was going on and could communicate very clearly."
Having a role model is important, it means you don't question whether you can do something because you can see another woman doing it already
Suw Charman-Anderson
Ms Charman-Anderson was one of only two girls in her school year to study maths, physics and chemistry at A-level and now works as a social media consultant.
"Having a role model is important, it means you don't question whether you can do something because you can see another woman doing it already," she said.
Early inspiration
Maggie Philbin told BBC News she was flattered by the nomination, although she had not considered herself to be a role model at the time.
"When I watched Tomorrow's World in the 60s and early 70s, it was just blokes. It was fabulous to watch, but at that stage I never imagined that it would have anything to do with me," she said.
"Look at the archives from the 60s - there are so many references to secretaries. That's what I, as a 10-year-old, was consuming."
Ms Philbin's interest in science was sparked because of an early, and unrealised, ambition to become a vet, she added.
She now credits social media such as Twitter for introducing her to inspirational women such as Ms Charman-Anderson and Dr Sue Black, who orchestrated a social media campaign to save World War II code-breaking centre Bletchley Park.
"These are my role models and technology heroines - they are using technology in a really ambitious and positive way. I'm learning a huge amount from them," she said.
Ada Lovelace has emerged as the most popular role model in a day dedicated to celebrating women working in the fields of science and technology.
So far, 2,239 people around the world have posted blogs, videos and podcasts online nominating their heroines.
Additionally, events were held in London, Copenhagen, Dresden, Montreal and Brazil to mark the day, named after Ada Lovelace, held on 24 March.
Ada Lovelace worked with mathematician Charles Babbage in the 1800s.
Mr Babbage's invention, the Analytical Engine, formed the basis of modern computing.
Ada Lovelace is therefore credited with writing the world's first computer program when she came up with a way of using the machine, which was never actually built, to calculate a mathematical sequence known as Bernoulli numbers.
Other nominees included scientist Marie Curie, mathematician-turned-actress Hedy Lamarr, programmer Grace Hopper and Lisbeth Salander, fictional creation of the late author Stieg Larsson.
Wonder women
"For years I've worked in technology, and every time you see a list of the top people in tech, it's dominated by men," said Suw Charman-Anderson, who created Ada Lovelace Day in 2009 and runs the annual event.
"There's always a discussion about where the women in technology are. I thought, I know loads of women in technology. Why are we asking where they are?"
Ms Charman-Anderson invited people to nominate any woman in technology who had been a positive influence or inspiration - including teachers, parents and lecturers.
She chose broadcaster Maggie Philbin as her own role model, having watched her present BBC science programme Tomorrow's World during her teenage years.
"Here was a woman who looked very cool and talked about technology articulately - technology was second nature to her," she told BBC News.
"This was someone who understood what was going on and could communicate very clearly."
Having a role model is important, it means you don't question whether you can do something because you can see another woman doing it already
Suw Charman-Anderson
Ms Charman-Anderson was one of only two girls in her school year to study maths, physics and chemistry at A-level and now works as a social media consultant.
"Having a role model is important, it means you don't question whether you can do something because you can see another woman doing it already," she said.
Early inspiration
Maggie Philbin told BBC News she was flattered by the nomination, although she had not considered herself to be a role model at the time.
"When I watched Tomorrow's World in the 60s and early 70s, it was just blokes. It was fabulous to watch, but at that stage I never imagined that it would have anything to do with me," she said.
"Look at the archives from the 60s - there are so many references to secretaries. That's what I, as a 10-year-old, was consuming."
Ms Philbin's interest in science was sparked because of an early, and unrealised, ambition to become a vet, she added.
She now credits social media such as Twitter for introducing her to inspirational women such as Ms Charman-Anderson and Dr Sue Black, who orchestrated a social media campaign to save World War II code-breaking centre Bletchley Park.
"These are my role models and technology heroines - they are using technology in a really ambitious and positive way. I'm learning a huge amount from them," she said.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Malaysian Indian enterprises need 100,000 foreign workers
Malaysia News.Net
Saturday 20th March, 2010 (IANS)
Projecting a requirement of 100,000 foreign workers, a Malaysian Indian trade body wants a dialogue with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak over the prevailing shortage of foreign labour in the country.
Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce of Industry (Maicci) president K.K. Eswaran said various trade associations had sought the chamber's help to resolve their labour shortage.
'We have compiled a memorandum detailing the needs of the various associations to present to Najib,' Eswaran said.
Eswaran said the associations needed more than 100,000 foreign workers in various sectors, including Indian restaurants, second-hand metal shops, construction, jewellery outlets, mini-markets and provision shops.
'The associations were unsuccessful in their efforts to recruit locals,' The Star quoted him as saying Sunday.
Eswaran said they were also proposing that each trade association be allowed to act as the recruiting agent for its members.
'In doing so, foreign workers can be monitored by the association and members will be accountable for any wrongdoing by the foreign workers.'
Malaysian Indian Metal Traders and Recyclers Association (Mimta) president P. Krishnamurthy said it needed 15,000 general workers as the locals were not prepared for the tedious work.
'They perceive it as low in status and involved working in an unhealthy work environment,' he said.
Krishnamurthy said the shortage could be resolved if the government extended the existing permits or allowed the companies replacements for the foreign workers who had returned to their countries.
Malaysia is home to nearly two million ethnic Indians who settled here during the British era.
The government has during the global recession tightened rules on the intake of foreign workers to fight unemployment among the locals.
Saturday 20th March, 2010 (IANS)
Projecting a requirement of 100,000 foreign workers, a Malaysian Indian trade body wants a dialogue with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak over the prevailing shortage of foreign labour in the country.
Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce of Industry (Maicci) president K.K. Eswaran said various trade associations had sought the chamber's help to resolve their labour shortage.
'We have compiled a memorandum detailing the needs of the various associations to present to Najib,' Eswaran said.
Eswaran said the associations needed more than 100,000 foreign workers in various sectors, including Indian restaurants, second-hand metal shops, construction, jewellery outlets, mini-markets and provision shops.
'The associations were unsuccessful in their efforts to recruit locals,' The Star quoted him as saying Sunday.
Eswaran said they were also proposing that each trade association be allowed to act as the recruiting agent for its members.
'In doing so, foreign workers can be monitored by the association and members will be accountable for any wrongdoing by the foreign workers.'
Malaysian Indian Metal Traders and Recyclers Association (Mimta) president P. Krishnamurthy said it needed 15,000 general workers as the locals were not prepared for the tedious work.
'They perceive it as low in status and involved working in an unhealthy work environment,' he said.
Krishnamurthy said the shortage could be resolved if the government extended the existing permits or allowed the companies replacements for the foreign workers who had returned to their countries.
Malaysia is home to nearly two million ethnic Indians who settled here during the British era.
The government has during the global recession tightened rules on the intake of foreign workers to fight unemployment among the locals.
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