Russia, U.S. to hold first formal START talks in mid May Moscow

Russia and the United States will hold first round of full-fledged talks on nuclear weapons reduction next month in Moscow.

Officials from Russia and the United States have met in Rome last week for initial talks.

The two sides are expecting a bilateral agreement at the end of 2009.

It is estimated that the United States currently has at least 2, 200 strategic nuclear warheads deployed and Russia has between 2000 and 3000.

Taliban militants say peace pact with Pakistani government worthless after attacks

Taliban militants, say a peace deal with the Pakistani government was worthless.

This, after the military, launched another offensive against Taliban militants, in the northwest.

The government was hoping the deal, to impose Islamic law in the Swat valley, would end, a Taliban insurgency.

But insurgents were trying to expand control, beyond Swat, and closer to the capital, Islamabad.

The military killed 20 militants.

Sri Lanka announces end to combat operations

The Sri Lankan government has announced an end to combat operations against the Tamil Tigers.

This comes, amid heavy international pressure for a ceasefire, to protect the tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the war zone.

Colombo had earlier rejected a ceasefire offer from the rebels.

The UN says 100,000 Tamil civilians, are being detained, in government-run camps.

Foreign ministers of Britain, France and Sweden are expected to visit Sri Lanka.

Southeast Asia urged to take early action against climate change

The Asian Development Bank is calling on Southeast Asian countries, to take early action, against climate change.

This comes, after a bank study, shows Southeast Asia remains one of the most vulnerable areas in the world, to climate change.

The report recommends green stimulus programs.

It says these programs, can strengthen economies, and lower emissions at the same time.