MUMBAI: Eminent journalist and founder of the leftwing journal ``Mainstream'', Nikhil Chakravarty, Gandhian and veteran Congressman Homi J H Taleyarkhan and the first lady of Indian shipping, Sumati Morarji, died here today. Chakravarty who died of brain cancer was 84 while Taleyarkhan passed away in his sleep and was 84. Sumati Morarji succumbed to a cardiac arrest and was ninety.

US-Sino pact

BEIJING: The United States and China today agreed to `detarget' missiles aimed at each other and also jointly pledged not to export to India or Pakistan missiles, missile equipment or materials capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

The agreement on missile export, however, covers only medium and long-range missiles, according to the joint statement finalised in private meetings between US President Bill Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin in the Great Hall of the People.

Immolation bid

JAIPUR: Police fired rubber bullets and lathicharged a mobwhich indulged in violence and arson today following a reported self-immolation bid by a BJP councillor who led a stir demanding improved civic amenities in Ganganagar town, about 350 km from here, official reports said.