India on blacklist

Washington, April 26 (PTI): The US has placed India on its annual watch list for failing to protect the copyrights, patents, and trademarks of American producers from piracy.

China, Russia, Argentina, Chile, Israel, Pakistan, Thailand and Venezuela have also been placed on the list. The US will subject all the listed nations to extra scrutiny and, if it decides to pursue complaints before the World Trade Organisation, then economic sanctions could be imposed on them.

Leopard cubs

Nashik (PTI): Two leopard cubs were found by a woman farm labourer who took them home, forest department sources said. The villagers later informed forest officials, who took the cubs away.

Problem mom

Kottayam (PTI): A court here has ordered repatriation of three Austrian children, who were recently rescued by police after they alleged that their Austrian mother, based in Kerala, was not taking care of them. Earlier, the magistrate had allowed the children to stay with their uncle. The children had sent an email to the Austrian embassy in New Delhi seeking their intervention.

Delhi metro

New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi metro is likely to start operations on the first section of Phase II from next month, about seven months ahead of schedule. The trial run on the 3.1km Shahadra-Dilshad Garden stretch, which has three stations, will take place on Sunday morning.

Youths held

Sirsa (PTI): Three youths were arrested for allegedly attempting to sexually harass a student and intimidating her in a Haryana college, police said on Saturday. The trio have been remanded in judicial custody.

Life terms

Sirsa (PTI): A farmer and his three sons were awarded life terms by a Haryana court for murdering a youth. The court on Friday also fined them Rs 10,000 each. The victim had been killed with a sharp weapon. A complaint had been filed by the victim’s father.