A United States judge declared a mistrial today in Bill Cosby's sexual assault case after the jury announced that they remained deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict against the fallen television star.

It was a stunning development for the 79-year-old pioneering black entertainer who had risked spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted on drugging and molesting a woman at his home 13 years ago.

Around 60 women have publicly accused Cosby in recent years of being a serial sexual predator alleging that he drugged and assaulted them over a span of 40 years across the United States.

But 44-year-old Andrea Constand's alleged assault was the only criminal case brought against him as most of the alleged abuse happened too long ago to prosecute.

But if the man once adored by millions as 'America's Dad' escaped conviction today, prosecutor Kevin Steele said that he intended to seek a re-trial as authorised in such cases under the law.

The seven-man, five-woman panel had spent around 53 hours deliberating in Norristown, Pennsylvania, longer than the amount of time dedicated at the trial to testimony and legal arguments.

They first informed Judge Steven O'Neill on Thursday that they were deadlocked, but were instructed to return to their deliberation room and try harder, without being given a deadline or timeframe.

Less than 48 hours later, and working into the weekend on a Saturday -- the 11th day of the trial -- the panel informed the judge that they were still deadlocked on all three counts against Cosby. -- Agencies

Three persons were killed and nine others suffered injuries while two women went missing after incessant rainfall triggered a massive landslide in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya today.

Officials said the incident took place at a labour camp near Umiam Lake around 5 am during heavy rain, which continued since last night.

Two teenaged girls and a 25-year-old man were killed while two women went missing in the landslide, a district disaster management authority official said.

Nine others were injured in the incident, the official added.

The official said efforts were on to clear the debris and the injured have been referred to NEIGRIHMS, Ganesh Das Hospital and Shillong Civil Hospital.

There were also reports of landslides at Umtyngngar, Mawkynrew and other places, but there was no casualty, they said.

Meanwhile, Met department officials confirmed onset of the south west monsoon in the north eastern region.  -- PTI

Bharatiya Janata Party Kerala unit president Kummanam Rajasekharan's ride with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the launch of the Kochi Metro today triggered a controversy, with a state minister alleging it was a 'security breach'.

In a Facebook post, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the 'security lapses' which occurred in the Prime Minister's official programme should be investigated.

He questioned the logic behind allowing Rajasekharan, who is not even a panchayat ward member, to travel with Modi.

Surendran said this happened when even local MLA P T Thomas was not allowed to share stage with the prime minister for the inaugural function. Rajasekharan was seen seated next to Governor P Sathasivam with Modi, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu in their maiden ride.

Hitting back at Surendran, BJP state General Secretary K Surendran said it was the Prime Minister's Office which had included Rajasekharan in the journey.

"The PMO takes decision on matters like who will attend the prime minister's function and the state minister need not worry about his protection," he said.

The BJP leader said in a Facebook post that the Special Protection Group is there to provide security for the prime minister and the minister's intervention is not required.

Reacting to the issue, Rajasekharan said he was allowed to travel with the prime minister by the SPG and the state police.

"If Surendran had any objections, he should have taken up the matter with the chief minister as he was witness to everything," he said.  -- PTI

IMAGE: From left, Kerala BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on board Kochi Metro on Saturday. Photograph: @PMOIndia/Twitter

Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah, who is in Mumbai on a three-day visit to strengthen the party organisation in the state, and is scheduled to meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, said on Saturday that his party would consult its allies before finalising the National Democratic Alliance's presidential candidate.

"We will consult all our allies and then reach adecision on the presidential poll nominee," Shah told a press conference.

He was responding to questions about ally Shiv Sena, which has often been critical of the BJP and the Modigovernment, suggesting the name of M S Swaminathan, known forsteering India's Green Revolution, as its presidential choice.

The Shiv Sena had earlier said it may choose an 'independent' path in the election to the highest constitutional office.

It had backed Congress nominees -- Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee -- in the last two presidential elections.

When asked about Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' remark that the BJP was prepared for snap assembly election, in an apparent reference to continued strain in ties with the Shiv Sena, Shah said, "What he meant was that if mid-term polls are forced on us, we are ready to fight."

Calling Narendra Modi the most popular leader since Independence, Shah said the prime minister was making all efforts to transform India into a world power by 2022, when the nation celebrates 75 years of freedom.

Under Modi, he said, India had become the world's fastest growing major economy.

The BJP chief said Modi had restored dignity to the prime minister's office.

"Every minister in the previous UPA government considered himself the PM, but nobody considered the PM as PM," he said. -- PTI

A Kolhapur court on Saturday granted bail to Sameer Gaikwad, arrested for his alleged role in the murder of communist leader Govind Pansare.

District and Sessions Judge LD Bile while granting bail to Gaikwad, a sanatan sadhak (follower), asked him to surrender his passport to the court and mark weekly presence at a police station.

The court ordered Gaikwad's release on a personal bond of Rs 25,000.

It also barred Gaikwad from entering Kolhapur district and restricted him from leaving the state.

Comrade Govind Pansare and his wife Uma were shot at on February 15, 2015 while on way back home from a morning walk.

Five days after the attack Pansare passed away at a hospital in Kolhapur.

The police arrested Gaikwad on September 15, 2015 on the basis of his suspicious telephonic talks.

Chargesheet in this case was filed in December 2015. The court had earlier denied bail to Gaikwad on two occasions.

Special public prosecutor Harshad Nimbalkar opposed the bail plea arguing that if released on bail, Gaikwad would pressurise witnesses or abscond.

Nimbalkar also cited statement of a witness in a supplementary chargesheet which mentioned that the number of attackers on Pansare could be four instead of two and as such custody of Gaikwad was necessary to get some more details.

The supplementary chargesheet was filed before the court on Friday.

Advocate Sameer Patwardhan and Advocate Virendra Ichalakaranjikar represented Gaikwad in the court.  -- PTI

The family of Indian Army soldier Naik Bakhtawar Singh, who was killed in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Nowshera on Friday, criticised the government on Saturday over its 'inaction' in ending ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

Bakhtawar Singh, 34, who hailed from Punjab, died on Thursday.

"We are proud of our son who lost his life for our nation, but we are sad too. He has two small kids," said Bakhtawar's father.

"This has happened because of the laziness of the government. It is Pakistan who keeps violating the ceasefire and we just retaliate," he added.

He further requested the government to provide some means of earning to Bakhtawar's wife to support the family.

India and Pakistan traded mortar shells, heavy automatics and small arms fire in Nowshera sector on Thursday afternoon as later troops continued targetting forward Indian positions and civilian areas without any provocation at frequent intervals in border Rajouri and Poonch districts for the past many days.

The Pakistani troops have been using mortars, heavy automatics, recoilless guns, and small weapons in the recent attacks. -- ANI

The perpetrators of the ambush in which six policemen were killed would 'face the law' very soon, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police S P Vaid said on Saturday and announced a bounty of Rs 10 lakh for Lashkar-e-Tyyaba commander Bashir Lashkari who is believed to have orchestrated the attack.

The terrorists fired at the policemen killed on Friday in an ambush in Achabal in Anantnag district by suspected Lashkar-e-Tayyba terrorists, at close range, 'shattering' their faces, the director general of police said.

"As per my information, they have come closer and fired from a closer range and that is why there was shattering of the face," Vaid said when asked whether the bodies were mutilated by terrorists.

Speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to the mortal remains of Constable Tasveer Ahmad, one of those killed, he said perpetrators would be brought to book.

"They will face the law and very soon you will see the results."

Several high-ranking civil, police and security force officers, including Chief Secretary B B Vyas, and jawans paid tributes to the slain constable at DPL Srinagar.

However, no politician was present there on the occasion.

The DGP said the attackers had been identified and would be tracked down very soon.

"This unfortunate incident has been committed by the LeT group led by Bashir Lashkari and we will track him down and see that justice is done," he said.

He also announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to the capture or killing of Lashkari.

Asked why the policemen were travelling in a non- bulletproof vehicle, the state's top cop said, "We are taking steps."

The DGP also described the killing of LeT commander Junaid Matto, who was killed in an encounter along with two other terrorists in Arwani yesterday, as a blow to the outfit.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Muneer Khan said the killing of six policemen was a setback for the force.

"It is a setback for us, but we will overcome that," he said.  -- PTI

IMAGE: Senior policemen pay tributes to the six cops killed by terrorists in an ambush in Anantnag district on Friday. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com

Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera said the Twitter account for its main Arabic-language channel had been suspended today, in the latest 'conspiracy' to hit the station.

Yasser Abuhilalah, managing director of Al Jazeera Arabic, confirmed the suspension on social media.

The suspension comes at a time of diplomatic crisis in the Gulf after Qatar was cut off by neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

'The main Al Jazeera Twitter account has been suspended, and work is ongoing to solve the problem,' Abuhilalah tweeted.

'Other secondary accounts remain active. Disruption (by others) will not stop because the truth terrifies them. We'll be back,' he said.

In another tweet, he said that no other 'channel in the world... faces the same amount of conspiracy'.

The television channel has long been a target for criticism by other West Asian countries and was banned on several occasions.

There has been speculation that its closure could help end the diplomatic crisis which erupted last month between Qatar and its neighbours in the Gulf over Doha's alleged support of extremists. -- Agencies

Amid growing unrest among farmers in different states, Union minister Prakash Javadekar has said the Narendra Modi-led government has set the target of doubling the farmers' income by 2022 in the next five years through a seven-point strategy.

This seven point-strategy, unveiled by the prime minister last year, include measures to step up irrigation, provide better quality seeds and prevent post-harvest losses.

"The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government has set the objective of doubling the farmers' income by 2022. We are giving an emphasis on raising the farmers' income rather than the past practice of increasing the agriculture output," the HRD minister said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day 'Making of Developed India Mela' (MODI Fest) at Anand about 40 km from Vadodara.

Elaborating on the seven-point strategy, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader said, "There is a big focus on irrigation with large budgets, with the aim of 'per drop, more crop'; provision of quality seeds and nutrients based on soil health of each field; large investments in warehousing and cold chains to prevent post-harvest crop losses and promotion of value addition through food processing.

"Then, creation of a national farm market, removing distortions and e-platform across 585 stations; introduction of a new crop insurance scheme to mitigate risks at affordable cost and promotion of ancillary activities like poultry,beekeeping and fisheries, are also part of the strategy."

The minister also said that introduction of smaller versions of neem-coated urea bags has helped in cutting the overall urea consumption and saved Rs 7,000 crore subsidy annually.  -- PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee speaks on the violent protests by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in Darjeeling on Saturday. Excerpts:

- They aren't listening to the court also,court passed order saying bandh is illegal. Don't know from where they get support.

- Five years you enjoyed, now when elections are coming you start violence because you have lost credentials.

- Where did they get illegal arms and money from? Ready to talk to them, we cannot support violation of the Constitution.

- What is happening is a deep rooted conspiracy. These arms were not collected in a day, they were collected over time.

- It is sad that they (protesters) killed one of our asst commanders T N Tamang with a 'khukri'.  -- ANI

IMAGE: A policeman injured in clashes between GJM protesters and security forces in Darjeeling on Saturday. Photograph: ANI

JUST IN: An Assistant Commander of the Indian Reserve Battalion killed in clash with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activists in Darjeeling, PTI quotes IRB sources as saying.

Meanwhile, West Bengal ADG (law and order) said that GJM supporters started firing at police, set police vehicles on fire, and one GJM supporter died due to firing by GJM supporters. -- Agencies

IMAGE: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activists protest during a bandh called by the outfit in Darjeeling on Saturday. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo

The Army has been called in to control the situation in Darjeeling where Gorkha Janmukti Morcha protesters turned violent and clashed with police.

Security forces used rubber bullets on protesters demanding separate state of Gorkhaland

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee holds high-level meeting with members of Darjeeling development boards, ADG Law and Order, Director General of Bengal Police, chief secretary and home secretary.

GJM supporters threw stones, bottles at security forces prompting them to lathicharge and use teargas shells. The Naari Morcha of the GJM also protested against the raid and arrest. Both protesters and security personnel were injured in the clashes. A police vehicle was also set on fire by protesters, NDTV reported.  -- Agencies

Photograph: ANI

Wreath laying ceremony of soldier Bakhtawar Singh, who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera on Friday is being held at his native place in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Photograph: ANI

Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said some misinformation is being spread among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which in turn is compelling the younger generation to pick up arms.

"Some misinformation is being spread among the people of Jammu and Kashmir which is causing trouble and possibly compelling some of the younger generation to pick up arms. But, I hope, they will soon understand that what they are doing is not correct," General Rawat said at a media interaction after presiding over a Passing Out Parade ceremony at Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Telangana, on Saturday.

Commenting on the latest encounter between security forces and militants in Arwani village, the army chief said that some parts of South Kashmir are in trouble and necessary counter action is being taken.

"Some parts of South Kashmir are in trouble, but necessary actions are being taken to ensure the situation there is soon brought under control," he said.

"We care about human life and make sure human rights are not violated. We are trained to handle such situations," he said. -- ANI

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Kochi to inaugurate the metro on Saturday, posters by the Bharatiya Janata Party thanked and praised the PM for making Kochi Metro a reality.

However, Rachit Seth of Congress tweeted: So here is BJP Lie of the Day for Today! Kerala BJP claiming- #KochiMetro is reality because of Modiji, Reality: MMS made it one #LiarBJP (sic).

The project was approved during the second term of the United Progressive Alliance government led by former PM Dr Manmohan Singh.
 
The 13-km AluvaPalarivattom section of the 27 km Line-1 of Kochi Metro project, which will be by PM Modi, received the Union cabinet nod on July 4, 2012, according to a release by the Press Information Bureau.
 
The foundation stone of the Kochi Metro was laid by Dr Singh on September 13, 2012.
 
Read more.

Authorities imposed restrictions on the movement of people in many areas of Kashmir today as a precautionary measure in view of a strike called by the separatists to protest the killing of two civilians allegedly in security forces firing.

Restrictions were imposed in Srinagar, Kulgam and Pulwama districts, officials said.

They said restrictions on the movement of people have been imposed in five police station areas of Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

The police station areas are Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Safakadal and MR Gunj, the officials said.

They said curbs were imposed in entire Kulgam district as well as in Pulwama town in south Kashmir.

In the other sensitive places in south Kashmir, heavy deployment of security forces has been made to maintain law and order, the officials said.

The authorities have closed all educational institutions in Anantnag and Pulwama districts as a precautionary measure. University of Kashmir has postponed all examinations scheduled to for today in view of the prevailing situation.

Meanwhile, normal life was affected elsewhere in Kashmir Valley due to the strike called by the separatists against the killing of civilians.

Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut, while public transport was off the roads.

While the separatists -- chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik, have called for a strike against the civilian killings, the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation had called for a shutdown against the implementation of the proposed Goods and Service Tax in the state.  -- PTI

Fresh clashes erupted in in Darjeeling on Saturday with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters hurling stones, bottles at policemen during a protest march.

Cops resorted to lathi charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

The protest march was taken out by 'Naari Morcha' of the GJM against the raid at residence of GJM Assistant General Secretary Binay Tamang.

Photograph: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Kochi Metro. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan present.

Modi also took a ride in Kochi Metro with Vijayan, Naidu and Sreedharan.

Photograph: ANI

Two top lawmakers have accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism and urged the Trump administration to cut military aid to the country, saying the US should make it more difficult for Islamabad to get its hands on American weapons.                 

Unidentified persons hurled a petrol bomb at the district Communist Party of India-Marxist office in Coimbatore early today, but no one was injured, police said. 

Body of dreaded Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Junaid Mattoo recovered from debris at the Arwani village encounter site in south Kashmir: Police

If Sushma Swaraj is the next president we would finally have a woman president who goes beyond the symbolism of her gender. Unlike the little-known Pratibha Patil, she would have more than earned the position compared to her female predecessor.

Indian Embassy in the US tweets this: