It also updates a verification mechanism, but its greatest significance may be in cementing the improvement in relations between the United States and Russia.

World News from the BBC

Three Pakistani cricketers at the centre of a corruption scandal have been banned from playing by the International Cricket Council. The former Pakistani captain Salman Butt was banned for 10 years with five years suspended. The bowler Mohammad Asif was banned for seven years with two suspended while Mohammad Amir was banned for five years. On Friday, British prosecutors said the three would face criminal charges over allegations they

conspire

d to fix elements of a match against England last August. All three have protested their innocence.

Anti-government protesters in Serbia have held their biggest rally in years. Tens of thousands gathered in front of the Serbian parliament in the capital Belgrade, demanding higher wages and early elections. The organisers, the nationalist opposition Serbian Progressive Party, have said they'll

step up

protests if elections are not called within two months.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he will not seek a third term in office when his current term ends in 2014. Mr al-Maliki began his second term in December when he formed a new government after nine months of political

stalemate

. From Baghdad, Jonathan Head.

The new government here is not immune to the revolutionary winds blowing from Egypt. The Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki offered to halve his salary just weeks into his second term. He's been accused of trying to grab more power and of tolerating routine abuses by the security forces. His greatest challenge, though, is making his cabinet of 42 ministers effective enough to meet the needs of a population