WASHINGTON: The US Senate failed to arrive at a deal to delay a crucial vote on the CTBT, paving way for its certain defeat, despite President Clinton's last ditch bid to persuade the Republican-dominated House not to reject it. Several rounds of talks between the majority Republicans and the ruling Democrats failed to break a deadlock as both sides stuck obdurately to their positions. The Republicans say the bill will harm US interests and expose it to risk from rogue nuclear states.

Militants escape

JAMMU: Four Pakistani and one Afghani militant escaped from police lock-up in Ramgarh, Jammu division early Wednesday morning after killing a police officer and critically injuring a head constable, police sources said. The five militants, identified as Mohammad Hafiz, Mohammad Ismail, Mohammad Rafiq and Mohammad Rashid - all Pakistanis and Mehmood Khan of Afghanistan, managed to escape after breaking the locks at around 0230 to 0300 hours.

WB floodtoll 95

CALCUTTA: The toll in the recent West Bengal floods stood at 95, with 1.28 crore people affected in 15 districts, state Finance minister Asim Dasgupta said on Wednesday. Of the deaths, 29 were caused by diarrhoea and 19 due to snake bites, he said.