New Start treaty headed for ratification

The New Start nuclear treaty between the US and Russia has cleared a key procedural hurdle in the US Senate and looked set to be ratified, BBC said. Senators voted to end debate on the issue, clearing the way for a final vote on the treaty, set for yesterday. Ratification would be a victory for President Barack Obama and the Democrats, who have pushed hard for it. Some Republican senators oppose the treaty on a variety of grounds, though Obama has called it crucial.