F'N FRIDAY: IN THE NEWS: U.S., Russia reach new arms control deal

Washington (CNN) -- The United States and Russia have reached "the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades," President Obama said Friday.




The agreement cuts by about one-third "the nuclear weapons that the United States and Russia will deploy," the president said.



The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) will last 10 years, and builds on the previous agreement that expired in December.



"It significantly reduces missiles and launchers," Obama told reporters at the White House. "It puts in place a strong and effective verification regime. And it maintains the flexibility that we need to protect and advance our national security, and to guarantee our unwavering commitment to the security of our allies."



Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will sign the agreement April 8 in Prague, Czech Republic, Obama said, calling arms control "one of his administration's top national security priorities."