With this win, New Zealand has some points on the table, with two points and one win in two matches under their belt. On the other hand, Bangladesh has lost both of their games so far and is at the bottom of the table

New Delhi [India], April 15 (ANI): A big blow for India as sporting disciplines like archery, shooting and wrestling have been dropped from its initial sports programme list for Commonwealth Games 2026 which will be played in Victoria in Australia.

Patiala (Punjab) [India], January 4 (ANI): As many as 60 students of Patiala Medical College have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

New Delhi Dec 24 PTI Leading writers debut authors graphic artists photographers and animal rescuers have come together to pay tribute to their canine companions through a series of funny poignant warm and joyous storiesThe Book of Dog An Anthology Celebrating Our Beloved Best Friends has 45 original pieces and is edited by Hemali Sodhi founder of A Suitable Agency which represents writers and artistesAmong the contributors are Aanchal Malhotra Amitava Kumar Anita Nair Anuja Chauhan Arunava Sinha Ashwin Sanghi Bulbul Sharma Cyrus Broacha Devdutt Pattanaik Gulzar Jerry Pinto Maneka Gandhi Mark Tully Ruskin Bond Shobhaa De Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi and Vikas KhannaSodhi calls this book published by HarperCollins India a celebration of the unique bond we have with the canine companions in our lives an ode to these lovely beings who make our days and nights brighter with their presenceThe book is a project to which the editor and all the authors have contributed for free All royalties will go to registered animal welfare charitiesA black-and-tan of mixed ancestry - part Terrier part Spaniel part street dog Crazy was the sole companion of Bonds grandmother after her husband diedAccording to Bond Crazy was such a good runner that even Usain Bolt wouldnt have been able to keep up with himCrazys greatest pleasure was running round and round the house It was a small bungalow with plenty of open space in front and at the back and whenever Crazy felt that life was getting a little dull he would go for one of his sprints he writesIn his piece Gulzar talks about his Boxer called Pali who to him was a friend a companion and many more things besides but not a dogPali was very sensible he wouldnt let anyone come near GulzarWhen I went into the office room for the days work he would come there as well like clockwork he would settle himself on a durrie close to me In the evening we would shut the office and go back together he writesWhile Gandhi talks of Bruno Gudiya and Goofy De tells stories of Gong Li Chauhan about Chhabbis Sanghi of Simba and Sinha about TingmoBroacha turns his humorous gaze on the dogs and accompanying humans in his building while Shanghvi pens the experience of his early years as a dog trainerPintos unnamed dog protagonist takes it upon himself to school a younger pup on the unpredictable ways of the world while Nair talks about her beautiful pups Sunderapandi and NachimuthuTully a devoted dog lover reminisces about all the wonderful dogs in his life and Sharma mentions about the loyal Gaddies mountain dogs in her piecePattanaik writes about dogs in Hindu myth while Malhotra comes up with an informative essay on dogs deployed in World War I and Khanna talks about Plum and also gives a recipe for a delicious dog treat Kumar on the other hand turns his gaze at his younger self as he finally finds a chance to say goodbye to a faithful friendIn the introduction Sodhi says how dogs teach people some of the most profound lessons of lifeThey teach you to live in the moment to live for the moment They teach you unconditional love given so freely it sometimes makes you tear up and wonder what you did to deserve this They teach you to love unreservedly and never let the child die in you And they teach you kindness she writesShe however rues that there is a heartbreaking reality that every dog parent is aware of - dogs have short livesYou will see them grow older the gait become slower the muzzle greyer You will see the crazy zoomies turn into a slow and painful limp and you will see that beloved face turn old It is devastating she saysShe feels during the Covid-induced lockdown in 2020 the dogs at home were probably the only ones not unhappy with this strange new world - their humans were home and spending time with them for longer periods it was like hitting the jackpot And it was the dogs who kept many people sane and provided comfort- in a world where everything was uncertain here were our dogs delighted with this change of circumstance and making the most of it she adds PTI ZMN RB RB

New Delhi Dec 21 PTI Veteran Punjab Congress leader Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi quit his party and joined the BJP on Tuesday accusing the Congress of putting the states security and communal harmony at stakeThere is a grave danger to peace and communal harmony in the border state he said adding that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP can save Punjab Sodhi a MLA for the last four terms and who is considered close to former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh announced his resignation from the Congress on Twitter and posted the letter sent to party president Sonia GandhiI cannot accept Punjabs suffocation and helplessness Congress party has put states security communal harmony at stake With deep agony I put forth my resignation from all posts primary membership of Congress party with immediate effect he saidLater he joined the BJP in the presence of Union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Bhupender Yadav at its headquarters here The BJP has announced tie-up with Singhs party the Punjab Lok CongressNoting that he had been in the Congress for over four decades Sodhi expressed his frustration at the state of affairs in the party especially Punjab alleging that its senior leadership is hell bent on destroying the border state for their personal gainsHe expressed anguish at the situation in Punjab and accused the Congress of working to divide it for votes He said he had also met Home Minister Amit Shah over the situation in the state India needs such leadership Sodhi said about the BJP top brassRecalling his association with Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi Sodhi alleged that the secular credentials of the Congress now stand demolished and rued its infighting Punjab needs a stable government which can save it and take everyone along he said Shekhawat who is the BJPs in-charge for the Punjab assembly polls slated in the next couple of months lauded Sodhis contribution to the states politics and said his presence will boost the party Yadav also praised him Several other BJP leaders including Union minister Som Parkash Dushyant Kumar Gautam and Manjinder Singh Sirsa were also present at his joining ceremony PTI KR ZMN

Dubai [UAE], November 1 (ANI): New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi said that he did not expect that his side will win this comprehensively against India in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Dubai [UAE], October 31 (ANI): New Zealand starred with the ball as India was restricted to 110/7 in the Group 2 match of Super 12 stage of the ongoing ICC men's T20 World Cup here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

New Delhi Sep 27 PTI Terming alleged nexus between politicians in power and the police officers as the new trend in the country the Supreme Court Monday orally questioned as to why it should protect such police officers in criminal cases after the regime change The observations of the bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana came on an appeal of Gurjinder Pal Singh suspended Director of Chhattisgarh Police Academy who has rushed to the top court seeking protection from coercive action after the Congress-led state government lodged the third FIR against him for an incident that had taken place in 2016 The bench which sought response of the state government and protected him from any coercive action concerning the third FIR for three weeks took note of the submissions of senior advocate Vikas Singh appearing for the suspended police officer and said the proximity with the power leads to a situation being faced by the petitioner when others come at the helm This is what happens when you are so close to the government and do these thingsyou have to pay back one day with the interest When you are good with the government you extract money when another government comes you have to pay back This is too much why should we grant protection to such officers This is a new trend in the country He should go to jail why should the court protect these kinds of officers the bench said You are responsible for all this nonsense You go surrender and get the regular bail said the bench which also comprised justicesSurya Kant and Hima Kohli at the outset The senior advocate said the officers who are honest and upright and have outstanding service records needed to be protected and Singh is one of them against whom as many as three FIRs have been lodged by the government The fresh plea has been filed seeking protection from coercive action in an FIR lodged on July 28 this year for offences of extortion criminal intimidation under the IPC on the complaint of one Kamal Kumar Sen concerning an alleged incident of 2016 The court has now posted the plea of Singh for further hearing in the first week of October and directed the apex court registry to list his earlier two pleas as well together for hearing Gurjinder Pal Singh the 1994-batch IPS officer who had served as the IG of Raipur Durg and Bilaspur during the earlier BJP rule has been facing probe in as many as three criminal cases The top court on August 26 this year had granted Singh the protection from two criminal cases of sedition and amassing of disproportionate assets It had termed as a disturbing trend the filing of sedition cases in the country against political opponents after the regime change Singh was initially booked in the disproportionate assets case following raids at his premises by the states Anti-Corruption Bureau ACB and Economic Offences Wing EOW Another case of sedition was invoked against him later on the grounds of his alleged involvement in promoting enmity and hatching a conspiracy against the government The state government is represented by lawyer Sumeer Sodhi According to the police the documents recovered during the ACBEOW raids revealed that Singh was allegedly involved in promoting enmity and hatching a conspiracy against the established government and public representatives and was booked under sedition charges Singh was booked under IPC sections 124-A sedition and 153-A promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion race place of birth residence language etc of the IPC at Raipurs City Kotwali Police Station He has sought the case be handed over to the CBI or other independent agencies to ensure a fair probe The director of the state police academy was suspended on July 5 after the ACBEOW on June 29 registered an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the disproportionate assets he had allegedly amassed The ACBEOW which carried a three-day search at around 15 locations linked to Singh from July 1 to 3 claimed to have discovered movable and immovable assets worth around Rs 10 crore During the raid at the official residence of Singh torn pieces of paper were also found from the backyard of the house When the pieces were rearranged serious and sensitive contents were found to be written and typed on it the FIR said These papers contained objectionable comments against leaders of reputed political parties along with detailed plans of conspiracy Besides secret assessments related to representatives and candidates of different assembly constituencies along with comments on serious issues of the concerned area were also written The papers contained critical comments on several government schemes policies social and religious issues it saidPTI SJK SJK RKS RKS

New Delhi Sep 23 PTI Family members of people who committed suicide within 30 days of being diagnosed with COVID-19 will be entitled to Rs 50000 ex-gratia assistance as per the guidelines the Centre told the Supreme Court on ThursdayDeaths occurring within 30 days from the date of testing or from the date of being clinically determined as a COVID case will be treated as deaths due to COVID-19 even if the death takes place outside the hospital in-patient facility the government clarifiedA bench of Justices M R Shah and A S Bopanna was informed by the Centre that a COVID-19 case admitted to the hospitalin-patient facility and who continued to be admitted beyond 30 days but died will also be treated as a COVID-19 deathIt is respectfully submitted that suitable directions in this regard may be passed by this Court whereby the family members of people committing suicide within 30 days from being diagnosed as COVID-19 positive as per MoHFICMR guidelines will also be entitled to avail financial help as granted under SDRF in accordance with the Guidelines dated September 11 2021 issued by NDMA under Section 12 iii of Disaster Management Act said the affidavit filed by the CentreThe top court was hearing a batch of pleas filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal and some intervenors represented by advocate Sumeer Sodhi who have lost their family members to COVID-19 seeking ex-gratia assistance to the kin of those who lost their lives to the deadly virusThe COVID-19 cases which are not resolved and those who died either in hospitals or at home and where a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death MCCD in Form 4 and 4 A has been issued to the registering authority as required under Section 10 of the Registration of Birth and Death RBD Act 1969 will be treated as a COVID-19 deathFurther under the Guidelines any certificate of death issued by hospitals government authority prior to coming into force of the Guidelines dated September 3 2021 can be reviewed and rectified and consequently freshly issued the government saidIt added that the next of kin of the deceased can raise a grievance before the concerned District Level Committee as envisaged in guidelines issued on September 3 that the cause of death of hisher kin was COVID related as per the parameters prescribed however the death certificate issued do not recognises it as death due to COVID-19 and mentions some other incidental cause in the death certificateThe affidavit said that when such application is being made to the district committee it would examine the contemporaneous medical records of the deceased patient and if it panel comes to the conclusion that the case of the applicant indeed falls within the parameters then it would issue a fresh or corrected certificate for the deceased certifying his death to be COVID related death eligible for financialother assistance as provided by the Central GovernmentSDRFFurther the district level committee proposed in the guidelines shall also consider any dispute between the hospital and the family regarding the cause of death it saidThe government said that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW and Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR has further clarified that death certificate indicating COVID-19 deaths either already issued prior to coming into force of September 3 guidelines or as rectified by the District level committee shall be treated as the valid document for considering any death as death due to COVID-19It said that the timeline for setting up of the district level Committee by the States will be prescribed as 30 days for which suitable instruction will be issued by Ministry of Health and Family WelfareThis court may also pass a mandamus directing all state governmentsUTs to constitute the said committee within 30 days in the interest of justice it said adding that the court may also issue directions to all the states to comply with the guidelines scrupulouslyThe affidavit was taken on record by the bench which said it will necessary orders on October 4 in the matter keeping all aspects in mindIn another affidavit filed in the top court on Wednesday the Centre said that National Disaster Management Authority NDMA has issued its guidelines on September 11 recommending that Rs 50000 be given to the kin of those who died of COVID-19The assistance will not be limited to families affected by COVID-19 deaths in the first and second wave of pandemic but will continue in future phases of the pandemic as well the authority had saidThe ex-gratia assistance will be provided by states from State Disaster Response Fund SDRF and all claims will be settled within 30 days of submission of required documents and disbursed through Aadhaar linked Direct Benefit Transfer procedures it had addedThe apex court had in its June 30 verdict directed the NDMA to recommend within six weeks the guidelines for ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life to the family members of persons who died due to COVID-19 PTI MNL SA

New Delhi Sep 23 PTI The Supreme Court Thursday appreciated the Centres step to grant ex-gratia assistance to the kin of those who died due to COVID-19 saying it has to take judicial notice of the fact that what India has done no other country has been able to doWe are happy that something has been done to wipe the tears of many families apex court saidSolicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for Centre said We cannot repair the loss of life but whatever the country could do for the families who have suffered is being done A bench of Justices M R Shah and A S Bopanna which took on record two affidavits filed by the Centre said it will pass orders on October 4 with some directions authorising the grievance redressal committees at district level to call for hospital records of the deceased in case of any dispute over issuance of death certificateWe are happy that there will be some solace to the persons who have suffered It will wipe the tears of many families We must take judicial notice of the fact despite so many problems of population and overpopulation something has been done What India has done no other country has been able to do the bench saidThe top court was hearing a batch of pleas filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal and some intervenors who lost their family members to COVID-19 Represented by advocate Sumeer Sodhi they were seeking ex-gratia assistance to kin of those who lost their lives to the deadly virusAt the outset the top court raised some concern as to what will happen if hospitals do not mention the cause of death as COVID-19 despite the person losing his life due to post COVID complicationsMehta said the next of kin can approach the district level committee to be constituted under the National Disaster Management Authority NDMA guidelines for redressal of grievances over the issuance of death certificateThe bench said Sometimes hospitals behave like a monarch and dont give medical records to the family members or hand over the dead bodies to them We have to take care of those people alsoSuch family members of the COVID-19 victims can also approach the committee which can call for the hospital records Mehta saidThe bench said it will pass orders authorising such committees to call for hospital records of patients if neededMehta said the next of the kin of the deceased can show to the committee some evidence like RT-PCR test report to show that the patient was COVID positive before his death in case the hospital does not mention the cause of deathThe NDMA has recommended that Rs 50000 be given to the kin of those who died of COVID-19 the Centre had informed the top court on Wednesday It had said that ex-gratia assistance will also be given to the kin of those who died of the virus due to involvement in COVID-19 relief operations or activities associated with the preparedness for dealing with the pandemic The government had said that NDMA has issued the guidelines on September 11 in compliance with the directions of the apex court given on June 30 wherein it had directed the authority to recommend guidelines for ex-gratia assistance The authority recommends an amount of Rs 50000 per deceased person including those involved in relief operations or associated in preparedness activities subject to cause of death being certified as COVID-19 as per the NDMA guidelines The assistance will not be limited to families affected by COVID-19 deaths in the first and second wave of pandemic but will continue in future phases of the pandemic as well the authority had said The family will get ex-gratia assistance subject to cause of death of their kin being certified as COVID-19 as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW and Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR it had said The ex-gratia assistance will be provided by states from State Disaster Response Fund SDRF and all claims will be settled within 30 days of submission of required documents and disbursed through Aadhaar linked Direct Benefit Transfer procedures it had added Detailing the methodology the guidelines have stated that the District Disaster Management Authority DDMAdistrict administration would disburse the ex-gratia assistance to the next of kin of the deceased persons The concerned families will submit their claims through a form issued by the State Authority along with specified documents including the death certificate that certifies the cause of death to be COVID-19 it had said The affidavit had said that the DDMA will ensure that the process of claim verification sanction and the final disbursement of ex-gratia payment will be through a robust yet simple and people friendly procedure The NDMA guidelines further state that in case of any grievances with regards to certification of the death a committee at the district level -- consisting of Additional District Collector Chief Medical Officer of Health principal of Head of Department of a Medical College if existing in the district and a subject expert -- will propose remedial measures including issuance of amended official documents for COVID-19 death after verifying facts The apex court had in its June 30 verdict directed the NDMA to recommend within six weeks the guidelines for ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life to the family members of persons who died due to COVID-19 PTI MNL SA