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New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb admitted the decision to rule out Josh King’s goal against Chelsea was incorrect and stated that correct guidance was not followed by the Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR).

Fulham ended up losing the contest 0-2 after King’s goal was disallowed in the 22nd minute of the contest due to VAR intervention for a foul by Rodrigo Muniz in the build-up.

Speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up - a television programme which analyses VAR decisions from previous gameweeks - PGMOL chief refereeing officer Webb acknowledged the error.

"It wasn't controversial, it was wrong. We've established some principles in terms of how we officiate in the Premier League and how we use VAR. They sit around a high threshold for penalising contact, aiding the flow, rhythm and tempo of the game. We've also established a high bar for intervention with VAR.

"In this situation, that guidance wasn't followed properly. There was a misjudgement by the officials involved in this situation about how that contact happened between Muniz and Chalobah. The officials got super focused on that contact, without looking at the full context of how it happened,” said Webb.

After the defeat, Fulham head coach Marco Silva, whose side remains winless after three games, could not believe the decision that was given against his side.

"How you disallow a goal like that is unbelievable. We have meetings with referee and people in charge, we all want to win. VAR is not here to re-referee the game.

"I would prefer not to say something more because I would be punished. I want to be on the touchline next week to help my team, I don't want to be fined.

"But it has been a difficult start to the season with some decisions,” Silva told TNT Sports.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit Punjab on Thursday to assess the extensive damage caused by floods in the state.

The incessant rains in the state have caused large-scale damage to standing crops.

The Minister on Wednesday posted on X, “I will reach Punjab tomorrow morning and meet my brothers and sisters in the flood-affected areas. In this hour of crisis, the Central Government stands firmly with the people of Punjab and will provide all possible assistance.”

Chouhan also held discussions with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding the ground situation.

“Today, I discussed the flood situation arising due to heavy rainfall in Punjab with the Honorable Governor of Punjab, Chief Minister Ji, and Agriculture Minister Ji, and obtained detailed information,” he said.

Punjab has been reeling under severe flooding as continuous heavy rainfall and the release of excess water from major dams, including Bhakhra, have caused rivers to overflow.

The floods have wreaked havoc across at least 12 districts, leaving several people dead and affecting lakhs of residents.

According to Chief Minister Mann, more than 1,300 villages are under water, and nearly three lakh acres of farmland -- mostly paddy fields -- have been damaged, just weeks before the harvest season.

Districts such as Patiala, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, and Sangrur are among the worst hit.

The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for several regions, warning that further heavy rainfall may aggravate the situation.

Rescue and relief operations are underway, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities working around the clock to evacuate stranded residents and provide relief materials.

However, rising water levels continue to pose challenges, and authorities remain on high alert.

--IANS

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New York, Sep 3 (IANS) India’s Yuki Bhambri and his partner Michael Venus of New Zealand progressed to the men’s doubles quarterfinals of the US Open.

Seeded 14th, Bhambri and Venus defeated the No. 4 seeds, Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Bhambri, India’s top-ranked men’s doubles tennis player at world No. 32, has reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

Last year, Bhambri partnered with French tennis player Albano Olivetti for the US Open and made the pre-quarterfinals. The duo lost to Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos in straight sets.

Earlier, Bhambri and Venus defeated the unseeded pair of Colombia’s Gonzalo Escobar and Mexico’s Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela 6-1, 7-5 in an hour and 25 minutes at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre to progress to the pre-quarterfinals .

The Indo-Kiwi pair will next play the 11th-seeded team of the 41-year-old American veteran Rajeev Ram and his partner Nikola Mektic of Croatia.

Ram and Mektic needed three tight sets—and nearly three hours—to edge past the unseeded team of Brazil’s Fernando Romboli and Britain’s John-Patrick Smith, 6-7(7), 7-5, 7-5.

Notably, Ram secured his 500th tour-level win with his second-round win on. Notably, he reached the milestone at Flushing Meadows, where he won three consecutive titles with Salisbury from 2021-23. Ram became the seventh active man to reach 500 tour-level doubles wins and he is the only active American with that many victories.

Earlier, Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna and his partner Romain Arneodo of Monaco crashed out in the opening round on Saturday. Arjun Kadhe and his partner, Diego Hidalgo of Ecuador, also made a first-round exit.

On Sunday, Anirudh Chandrasekar and Vijay Sundar Prashanth’s run came to an end with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Brazil’s Fernando Romboli and Australia’s John-Patrick Smith.

--IANS

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New York, Sep 3 (IANS) India’s Yuki Bhambri and his partner Michael Venus of New Zealand progressed to the men’s doubles quarterfinals of the US Open.

Seeded 14th, Bhambri and Venus defeated the No. 4 seeds, Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Bhambri, India’s top-ranked men’s doubles tennis player at world No. 32, has reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

Last year, Bhambri partnered with French tennis player Albano Olivetti for the US Open and made the pre-quarterfinals. The duo lost to Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos in straight sets.

Earlier, Bhambri and Venus defeated the unseeded pair of Colombia’s Gonzalo Escobar and Mexico’s Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela 6-1, 7-5 in an hour and 25 minutes at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre to progress to the pre-quarterfinals .

The Indo-Kiwi pair will next play the 11th-seeded team of the 41-year-old American veteran Rajeev Ram and his partner Nikola Mektic of Croatia.

Ram and Mektic needed three tight sets—and nearly three hours—to edge past the unseeded team of Brazil’s Fernando Romboli and Britain’s John-Patrick Smith, 6-7(7), 7-5, 7-5.

Notably, Ram secured his 500th tour-level win with his second-round win on. Notably, he reached the milestone at Flushing Meadows, where he won three consecutive titles with Salisbury from 2021-23. Ram became the seventh active man to reach 500 tour-level doubles wins and he is the only active American with that many victories.

Earlier, Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna and his partner Romain Arneodo of Monaco crashed out in the opening round on Saturday. Arjun Kadhe and his partner, Diego Hidalgo of Ecuador, also made a first-round exit.

On Sunday, Anirudh Chandrasekar and Vijay Sundar Prashanth’s run came to an end with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Brazil’s Fernando Romboli and Australia’s John-Patrick Smith.

--IANS

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Quetta, Sep 3 (IANS) At least 14 people were killed and 35 others injured in a massive blast at a public rally of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) in Quetta, local media reported.

The casualties were reportedly confirmed by health officials at Civil Hospital Quetta.

The blast occurred near the Shahwani Stadium on Tuesday evening shortly after a gathering marking the fourth death anniversary of BNP founder Sardar Attaullah Mengal had concluded.

According to police officials, the explosion took place near the venue soon after the event ended, with initial reports indicating that it may have targeted the convoy of BNP chief Akhtar Mengal, who escaped unharmed, Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported

After surviving the attack, Mengal took to his social media, stating, “Thank you for your prayers and messages. I am safe, but deeply heartbroken at the loss of our workers. Around 15 have been martyred and many injured. They stood by me and gave their lives for our cause. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten".

Several human rights organisations on Wednesday strongly condemned the brutal attack targeting the political rally of the BNP.

Condemning the attack, which caused heavy casualties, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) sought an impartial inquiry into the incident immediately.

“We seek an immediate and impartial inquiry into the incident and reiterate our demand for the restoration of law and order in the province and the initiation of a purposeful dialogue between all stakeholders, leading to genuine political representation and the realization of rights, the right to life being the first to be protected,” read a statement issued by HRCP.

Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, described the horrific attack as Pakistan-sponsored and part of a broader genocidal policy intended to silence the Baloch people

“We believe such attacks are state-sponsored and part of a broader genocidal policy aimed at silencing the Baloch people and diverting attention from their legitimate demands,” Paank stated.

Another human rights body, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), denounced the deadly attack as a continuation of the Pakistani government’s oppression and an attempt to sabotage peaceful political activities through the patronage of Pakistan-backed death squads and Islamic State-Khorasan province (ISKP), an offshoot of the terror organisation ISIS.

According to BJV, a few months ago, ISIS had openly threatened to target Baloch nationalist leaders, particularly Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Mahrang Baloch, adding that the recent attack was a continuation of that alarming trend.

The rights body asserted that “targeting peaceful political activists and human rights leaders with bomb blasts is the worst form of ‘state terrorism’ and a blatant violation of human rights.”

The BVJ further stated that such attacks are “systematic attempts to silence democratic voices in Balochistan and crush political struggles, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”

--IANS

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Quetta, Sep 3 (IANS) At least 14 people were killed and 35 others injured in a massive blast at a public rally of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) in Quetta, local media reported.

The casualties were reportedly confirmed by health officials at Civil Hospital Quetta.

The blast occurred near the Shahwani Stadium on Tuesday evening shortly after a gathering marking the fourth death anniversary of BNP founder Sardar Attaullah Mengal had concluded.

According to police officials, the explosion took place near the venue soon after the event ended, with initial reports indicating that it may have targeted the convoy of BNP chief Akhtar Mengal, who escaped unharmed, Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported

After surviving the attack, Mengal took to his social media, stating, “Thank you for your prayers and messages. I am safe, but deeply heartbroken at the loss of our workers. Around 15 have been martyred and many injured. They stood by me and gave their lives for our cause. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten".

Several human rights organisations on Wednesday strongly condemned the brutal attack targeting the political rally of the BNP.

Condemning the attack, which caused heavy casualties, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) sought an impartial inquiry into the incident immediately.

“We seek an immediate and impartial inquiry into the incident and reiterate our demand for the restoration of law and order in the province and the initiation of a purposeful dialogue between all stakeholders, leading to genuine political representation and the realization of rights, the right to life being the first to be protected,” read a statement issued by HRCP.

Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, described the horrific attack as Pakistan-sponsored and part of a broader genocidal policy intended to silence the Baloch people

“We believe such attacks are state-sponsored and part of a broader genocidal policy aimed at silencing the Baloch people and diverting attention from their legitimate demands,” Paank stated.

Another human rights body, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), denounced the deadly attack as a continuation of the Pakistani government’s oppression and an attempt to sabotage peaceful political activities through the patronage of Pakistan-backed death squads and Islamic State-Khorasan province (ISKP), an offshoot of the terror organisation ISIS.

According to BJV, a few months ago, ISIS had openly threatened to target Baloch nationalist leaders, particularly Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Mahrang Baloch, adding that the recent attack was a continuation of that alarming trend.

The rights body asserted that “targeting peaceful political activists and human rights leaders with bomb blasts is the worst form of ‘state terrorism’ and a blatant violation of human rights.”

The BVJ further stated that such attacks are “systematic attempts to silence democratic voices in Balochistan and crush political struggles, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”

--IANS

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Mysuru, Sep 3 (IANS) Countering the BJP's series of 'Dharmasthala Yatra' campaigns condemning alleged conspiracy against the Hindu pilgrimage centre, the Congress launched the 'Dharma Vijaya Yatra' on Wednesday in support of Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala temple and BJP Rajya Sabha Member Veerendra Heggade.

Former minister and six-time MLA Tanveer Sait inaugurated the yatra in Mysuru city. Thousands of party leaders and workers, led by Congress MLA K. Harish Gowda, set off to Dharmasthala in hundreds of vehicles.

Speaking to the media after flagging off the yatra, MLA Tanveer Sait said, "The BJP has taken up a series of yatras to Dharmasthala as a damage-control measure in fear of their names getting exposed for carrying out conspiracy. Today, our party workers and I have taken up the 'Dharma Rakshana Yatra'. I wish all the participants well as they head to Dharmasthala."

"Our party endeavours to ensure that the truth comes before the people of the state. True devotion cannot be mere showmanship. There are crores of devotees, thousands of kilometres away from the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple, who worship Lord Manjunatha with faith. Recent developments have hurt the sentiments of the people. The investigation is being conducted solely to bring out the truth," Sait added.

MLA Harish Gowda said, "We are proceeding to Dharmasthala. The campaign has been named the 'Dharma Vijaya Yatra'. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and Home Minister G. Parameshwara constituted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure that the Dharmasthala pilgrimage centre is not defamed, and today they have ensured that Dharmasthala is free from allegations. The SIT is now investigating those who conspired to malign the pilgrimage centre."

"Our government has shown the state and the country that no wrongdoing has taken place in Dharmasthala. Hence, this is a victory for the SIT team and our government, and we have named the campaign the 'Dharma Vijaya Yatra'," Harish Gowda said.

When asked about the BJP's charge that the Congress-led government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are "anti-Hindu", MLA Harish Gowda responded, "The BJP has assumed proprietorship over Hinduism. All participants who have gathered here are Hindus. Ours is a secular country, and people of all faiths - Sikhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism - live together harmoniously. Religion should never be a cause for conflict in this country."

"KPCC Working President Tanveer Sait flagged off the yatra. This reflects our party's ideology and objective. We have always conducted ourselves above caste and religious lines. About 2,000 people are taking part in the yatra," MLA Gowda said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) The recently launched Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme is a transformative step that will foster India’s growth in science and innovation on the world stage, according to a media report.

In July, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the RDI scheme, allocating Rs 1 lakh crore for it.

The scheme aims at transforming the private research and innovation ecosystem in the country.

“The initiative will stimulate private sector participation in research, development, and innovation, particularly in 'sunrise' sectors -- emerging industries poised to shape the future -- and strategic areas critical to India’s growth and security,” noted the report in news platform Newsbomb Greece.

With long-term financing and refinancing at low or zero interest rates, the RDI Scheme will provide an unprecedented boost to companies, start-ups, and innovators across the country, the report said.

With such a transformative financial structure, "innovators can focus on experimentation, product development, and market expansion without the burden of prohibitive financing costs," the report said.

This will foster a culture of entrepreneurial research that can rapidly respond to market needs and technological shifts.

Further, this will enable startups and SMEs to bring their cutting-edge ideas to market. The innovative scheme thus bridges the gap between invention and commercial application, the report said.

The RDI Scheme particularly focusses on innovation in “sunrise sectors -- ranging from renewable energy, electric mobility, advanced materials, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and next-generation computing”. These sectors are expected to define the 21st century.

In addition, the scheme also lays emphasis on strategic industries such as defence technology, aerospace, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.

These are “essential for India’s long-term growth and self-reliance,” the report said.

With the RDI Scheme, companies in the country can now invest confidently “in technologies that enhance national capabilities, while also competing on the global stage”.

“The emphasis on strategic sectors reflects a vision of an India that is not only a consumer of technology but also a creator and exporter of cutting-edge solutions,” the report said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) The recently launched Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme is a transformative step that will foster India’s growth in science and innovation on the world stage, according to a media report.

In July, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the RDI scheme, allocating Rs 1 lakh crore for it.

The scheme aims at transforming the private research and innovation ecosystem in the country.

“The initiative will stimulate private sector participation in research, development, and innovation, particularly in 'sunrise' sectors -- emerging industries poised to shape the future -- and strategic areas critical to India’s growth and security,” noted the report in news platform Newsbomb Greece.

With long-term financing and refinancing at low or zero interest rates, the RDI Scheme will provide an unprecedented boost to companies, start-ups, and innovators across the country, the report said.

With such a transformative financial structure, "innovators can focus on experimentation, product development, and market expansion without the burden of prohibitive financing costs," the report said.

This will foster a culture of entrepreneurial research that can rapidly respond to market needs and technological shifts.

Further, this will enable startups and SMEs to bring their cutting-edge ideas to market. The innovative scheme thus bridges the gap between invention and commercial application, the report said.

The RDI Scheme particularly focusses on innovation in “sunrise sectors -- ranging from renewable energy, electric mobility, advanced materials, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and next-generation computing”. These sectors are expected to define the 21st century.

In addition, the scheme also lays emphasis on strategic industries such as defence technology, aerospace, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.

These are “essential for India’s long-term growth and self-reliance,” the report said.

With the RDI Scheme, companies in the country can now invest confidently “in technologies that enhance national capabilities, while also competing on the global stage”.

“The emphasis on strategic sectors reflects a vision of an India that is not only a consumer of technology but also a creator and exporter of cutting-edge solutions,” the report said.

--IANS

rvt/

New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) The recently launched Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme is a transformative step that will foster India’s growth in science and innovation on the world stage, according to a media report.

In July, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the RDI scheme, allocating Rs 1 lakh crore for it.

The scheme aims at transforming the private research and innovation ecosystem in the country.

“The initiative will stimulate private sector participation in research, development, and innovation, particularly in 'sunrise' sectors -- emerging industries poised to shape the future -- and strategic areas critical to India’s growth and security,” noted the report in news platform Newsbomb Greece.

With long-term financing and refinancing at low or zero interest rates, the RDI Scheme will provide an unprecedented boost to companies, start-ups, and innovators across the country, the report said.

With such a transformative financial structure, "innovators can focus on experimentation, product development, and market expansion without the burden of prohibitive financing costs," the report said.

This will foster a culture of entrepreneurial research that can rapidly respond to market needs and technological shifts.

Further, this will enable startups and SMEs to bring their cutting-edge ideas to market. The innovative scheme thus bridges the gap between invention and commercial application, the report said.

The RDI Scheme particularly focusses on innovation in “sunrise sectors -- ranging from renewable energy, electric mobility, advanced materials, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and next-generation computing”. These sectors are expected to define the 21st century.

In addition, the scheme also lays emphasis on strategic industries such as defence technology, aerospace, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.

These are “essential for India’s long-term growth and self-reliance,” the report said.

With the RDI Scheme, companies in the country can now invest confidently “in technologies that enhance national capabilities, while also competing on the global stage”.

“The emphasis on strategic sectors reflects a vision of an India that is not only a consumer of technology but also a creator and exporter of cutting-edge solutions,” the report said.

--IANS

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