The Evening Wrap: Salman Rushdie attacked on lecture stage in New York

Salman Rushdie, the author whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday as he was about to give a lecture in western New York. An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man storm the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and begin punching or stabbing Mr. Rushdie as he was being introduced. The author was taken or fell to the floor, and the man was restrained. Mr. Rushdie was quickly surrounded by a small group of people who held up his legs, presumably to send more blood to his chest. His condition was not immediately known. Hundreds of people in the audience gasped at the sight of the attack and were then evacuated. Mr. Rushdie’s book The Satanic Verses has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it to be blasphemous. A year later, Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or edict, calling for Mr. Rushdie’s death. Iran has also offered over $3 million in reward for anyone who kills Mr. Rushdie. Iran’s government has long since distanced itself from Khomeini’s decree, but anti-Rushdie sentiment lingered. In 2012, a semi-official Iranian religious foundation raised the bounty for Mr. Rushdie from $2.8 million to $3.3 million. Mr. Rushdie dismissed that threat at the time, saying there was “no evidence” of people being interested in the reward. That year, Mr. Rushdie published a memoir, Joseph Anton about the fatwa. Mr. Rushdie rose to prominence with his Booker Prize-winning 1981 novel Midnight’s Children, but his name became known around the world after The Satanic Verses. The Chautauqua Institution, about 120 km south of Buffalo in a rural corner of New York, is known for its summertime lecture series. Mr. Rushdie has spoken there before. To rein in tur dal price surge, Centre invokes Essential Commodities Act With tur dal prices surging since mid-July and reports coming in of some traders creating artificial supply squeeze by restricting sales, the Centre has invoked the Essential Commodities Act of 1955 to ask States to monitor and verify the stocks available with such traders. Tur prices have risen amid slow progress in kharif sowing as compared to last year due to excess rainfalls and water logging conditions in parts of major Tur growing states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the Department of Consumer Affairs noted in its rationale for the directive. "On top of the sufficient overall availability of pulses in the domestic market, the government is currently holding about 38 lakh tonnes of pulses which are being released in the market to further augment the stocks available in the market," the Department said, stressing that it is closely watching the overall availability and prices of pulses in the domestic as well as overseas markets to take pre-emptive steps if there is any unwarranted price rise in the upcoming high demand festival months. States and Union Territories have also been asked to direct 'stockholder entities to upload the data of stocks held by them' on an online monitoring portal of the Department of Consumer Affairs, on a weekly basis. The government hopes the move will rein in attempts by some sections of traders and stockists to push the price for Tur dal upwards, by resorting to 'restricted sales' and creating an artificial scarcity. Avoid unilateral action to change Taiwan status quo: India India indirectly called upon China to not alter the "status quo" around Taiwan, and cautioned that the current situation should not lead to any "unilateral action". Addressing the weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi refrained from spelling out India's clear position on the 'One China' policy but conveyed the impression that India's stand on China's claims over Taiwan is linked to Beijing's persistent unwillingness to support India's campaign against Pakistan-based terror elements. "Like many other countries, India too is concerned at recent developments. We urge the exercise of restraint, avoidance of unilateral actions to change status quo, de-escalation of tensions and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region," said Mr Bagchi. India has been maintaining a studied silence on the situation as China halted the military drill near Taiwan but announced that its "war preparation" would continue. As the crisis intensified over the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, China intensified global diplomacy and reached out to countries in Southeast and South Asia seeking support for its 'One China' policy. A spokesperson of the Embassy of China had earlier said that 170 countries have supported the 'One China' policy and that China would not "renounce" the option of force in dealing with Taiwan. When asked about India's position on the 'One China' policy, Mr. Bagchi said, "India's relevant policies are well known and consistent. They do not require reiteration." The official comments from the Indian side reflect New Delhi's disappointment over the "technical hold" that China placed on the listing for Jaish e Mohammed leader Abdul Rauf Asghar at the UN Security Council on August 11. Mr Bagchi described the Chinese move that prevented the blacklisting of Mr Asghar as "unfortunate" and "most uncalled for". Apart from China's unwillingness to support India's counter terror goals at the UNSC, India-China ties in recent weeks were hampered by the planned arrival of China's intelligence gathering ship Yuan Wang 5 at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port. The Ministry also denied India exerted pressure on Sri Lanka to prevent the dual use ship from reaching Hambantota and connected the maritime security concerns of India with the India-China tension along the Line of Actual control adding, "With regard to our security concerns, this is the sovereign right of every country. We will make the best judgement in our own interest. This naturally takes into account the prevailing situation in our region, especially in the border areas." Avoid large gatherings while celebrating Independence Day in view of COVID-19 cases: Centre to States As the country continues to record an average of over 15,000 coronavirus cases daily, the Centre has asked States to ensure there are no large gatherings for Independence Day celebrations and that everyone follows COVID-19 protocols. The Union Home Ministry conveyed to all States and Union Territories to carry out a 'Swachh Bharat' campaign at a prominent location of each district in the State and UT and carry out a fortnight and month-long campaign to keep it 'Swachh' through voluntary civil action. In a communication, the Ministry said, "As a precaution, against COVID-19, large congregations in the ceremony be avoided. It is imperative that Covid guidelines are followed". The Home Ministry also asked government departments and educational institutions to carry out tree plantation programmes to spread awareness for conservation of environment. India added 16,561 new coronavirus cases taking the total tally of Covid cases to 4,42,23,557, while the active cases dipped to 1,23,535, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,26,928 with 49 fatalities which include 10 deaths reconciled by Kerala. Retail inflation slips below 7% for first time since April India’s retail inflation slipped below the 7% mark for the first time since April, easing to 6.71% in July from 7.01% in June. This is the seventh month in a row that the pace of price rise has been over the upper tolerance limit of 6% pursued by the central bank’s monetary policy committee. Rural inflation eased from 7.09% in June to 6.8% in July, while urban consumers faced a price rise of 6.49% compared to 6.86% a month earlier. Inflation in Consumer Food Prices moderated to 6.75% in July from 7.75% in June. Meanwhile, India’s industrial output grew 12.3% in June, moderating from 19.6% this May, led by a 16.4% uptick in electricity and 12.5% growth in manufacturing. Mining activity grew 7.5% in the month. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP), however, grew only 0.14% over May 2022 levels, with Manufacturing being the only sector to report a sequential uptick in output in June, rising 1.34%. Production of consumer durables and capital goods led the growth trajectory among use-based categories for the second month in a row, rising 26.1% and 23.8%, respectively, in June. This is the third successive month of output growth for consumer durables after six months of contraction. By contrast, consumer non-durables output growth crawled for the second month in a row, rising just 2.9% in June after a 0.9% rise in May. Primary goods output rose 13.7%, followed by intermediate goods (11%) and infrastructure/construction items which grew 8%. However, these three sectors reported a sequential decline from May’s output levels, with primary goods slipping 3.8%, intermediate goods 2.9% and construction goods 2.7%. No PM ambitions but ready to play role in forging Opposition unity, says Nitish Kumar Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar maintained that he had no prime ministerial ambitions but said he was looking forward to play a “positive” role in forging opposition unity against the ruling NDA at the Centre. “Please do not ask me such questions, I have said many times that I harbour no such ambitions. I want to serve my State,” Mr. Kumar asserted, with folded hands, replying to journalists who asked whether the people of Bihar could one day see him as the Prime Minister. However, when asked what role he saw for himself in forging unity among disjointed opposition parties, Mr. Kumar said, “Our role will be positive. I have been receiving many telephone calls. It is my wish that all come together (against the BJP-led NDA). You will see some action in the days to come.” To a query about the fear of ED and CBI being unleashed on the new ruling dispensation, he said, “I have no such fears. Remember one thing, even if a habit has been formed of misuse (of agencies), those indulging in the same will be closely watched by the people.” The JD(U) leader was also asked whether he would be going to Gujarat, the home turf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to campaign for the Assembly elections scheduled later this year. “You will get to know about that in due course”, Mr. Kumar added. The BJP alleged that "jungle raj" has returned to Bihar with the RJD-JD(U) government assuming power as it cited a string of murders and other crimes to attack the alliance. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference that several people, including journalists, have been killed and a temple priest was beheaded since the two parties joined hands to form the government after the Janata Dal (United) snapped ties with the saffron party. In Brief Johnson & Johnson will stop selling its talc-based baby powder globally in 2023, the drugmaker said, over two years after it ended U.S. sales of the product that drew thousands of consumer safety lawsuits. “As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio,” it said, adding that cornstarch-based baby powder is already sold in countries around the world. In 2020, J&J announced that it would stop selling its talc Baby Powder in the U.S. and Canada because demand had fallen in the wake of what it called “misinformation” about the product’s safety amid a barrage of legal challenges. The company faces about 38,000 lawsuits from consumers and their survivors claiming its talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos, a known carcinogen. J&J denies the allegations, saying decades of scientific testing and regulatory approvals have shown its talc to be safe and asbestos-free. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow [logo] The Evening Wrap 12 AUGUST 2022 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Salman Rushdie attacked on lecture stage in New York Salman Rushdie, the author whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was [attacked on Friday as he was about to give a lecture in western New York](. An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man storm the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and begin punching or stabbing Mr. Rushdie as he was being introduced. The author was taken or fell to the floor, and the man was restrained. Mr. Rushdie was quickly surrounded by a small group of people who held up his legs, presumably to send more blood to his chest. His condition was not immediately known. [Author Salman Rushdie is tended to after he was attacked during a lecture on August 12, 2022, at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York about 120 km south of Buffalo. ] Hundreds of people in the audience gasped at the sight of the attack and were then evacuated. Mr. Rushdie’s book The Satanic Verses has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it to be blasphemous. A year later, Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or edict, calling for Mr. Rushdie’s death. Iran has also offered over $3 million in reward for anyone who kills Mr. Rushdie. Iran’s government has long since distanced itself from Khomeini’s decree, but anti-Rushdie sentiment lingered. In 2012, a semi-official Iranian religious foundation raised the bounty for Mr. Rushdie from $2.8 million to $3.3 million. Mr. Rushdie dismissed that threat at the time, saying there was “no evidence” of people being interested in the reward. That year, Mr. Rushdie published a memoir, Joseph Anton about the fatwa. Mr. Rushdie rose to prominence with his Booker Prize-winning 1981 novel Midnight’s Children, but his name became known around the world after The Satanic Verses. The Chautauqua Institution, about 120 km south of Buffalo in a rural corner of New York, is known for its summertime lecture series. Mr. Rushdie has spoken there before. To rein in tur dal price surge, Centre invokes Essential Commodities Act With tur dal prices surging since mid-July and reports coming in of some traders creating artificial supply squeeze by restricting sales, the [Centre has invoked the Essential Commodities Act of 1955 to ask States to monitor and verify the stocks available]( with such traders. Tur prices have risen amid slow progress in kharif sowing as compared to last year due to excess rainfalls and water logging conditions in parts of major Tur growing states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the Department of Consumer Affairs noted in its rationale for the directive. "On top of the sufficient overall availability of pulses in the domestic market, the government is currently holding about 38 lakh tonnes of pulses which are being released in the market to further augment the stocks available in the market," the Department said, stressing that it is closely watching the overall availability and prices of pulses in the domestic as well as overseas markets to take pre-emptive steps if there is any unwarranted price rise in the upcoming high demand festival months. States and Union Territories have also been asked to direct 'stockholder entities to upload the data of stocks held by them' on an online monitoring portal of the Department of Consumer Affairs, on a weekly basis. The government hopes the move will rein in attempts by some sections of traders and stockists to push the price for Tur dal upwards, by resorting to 'restricted sales' and creating an artificial scarcity. Avoid unilateral action to change Taiwan status quo: India [India indirectly called upon China to not alter the "status quo" around Taiwan]( and cautioned that the current situation should not lead to any "unilateral action". Addressing the weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi refrained from spelling out India's clear position on the 'One China' policy but conveyed the impression that India's stand on China's claims over Taiwan is linked to Beijing's persistent unwillingness to support India's campaign against Pakistan-based terror elements. "Like many other countries, India too is concerned at recent developments. We urge the exercise of restraint, avoidance of unilateral actions to change status quo, de-escalation of tensions and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region," said Mr Bagchi. India has been maintaining a studied silence on the situation as China halted the military drill near Taiwan but announced that its "war preparation" would continue. As the crisis intensified over the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, China intensified global diplomacy and reached out to countries in Southeast and South Asia seeking support for its 'One China' policy. A spokesperson of the Embassy of China had earlier said that 170 countries have supported the 'One China' policy and that China would not "renounce" the option of force in dealing with Taiwan. When asked about India's position on the 'One China' policy, Mr. Bagchi said, "India's relevant policies are well known and consistent. They do not require reiteration." The official comments from the Indian side reflect New Delhi's disappointment over the "technical hold" that China placed on the listing for Jaish e Mohammed leader Abdul Rauf Asghar at the UN Security Council on August 11. Mr Bagchi described the Chinese move that prevented the blacklisting of Mr Asghar as "unfortunate" and "most uncalled for". Apart from China's unwillingness to support India's counter terror goals at the UNSC, India-China ties in recent weeks were hampered by the planned arrival of China's intelligence gathering ship Yuan Wang 5 at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port. The Ministry also denied India exerted pressure on Sri Lanka to prevent the dual use ship from reaching Hambantota and connected the maritime security concerns of India with the India-China tension along the Line of Actual control adding, "With regard to our security concerns, this is the sovereign right of every country. We will make the best judgement in our own interest. This naturally takes into account the prevailing situation in our region, especially in the border areas." Avoid large gatherings while celebrating Independence Day in view of COVID-19 cases: Centre to States As the country continues to record an average of over 15,000 coronavirus cases daily, the [Centre has asked States to ensure there are no large gatherings for Independence Day celebrations]( and that everyone follows COVID-19 protocols. The Union Home Ministry conveyed to all States and Union Territories to carry out a 'Swachh Bharat' campaign at a prominent location of each district in the State and UT and carry out a fortnight and month-long campaign to keep it 'Swachh' through voluntary civil action. In a communication, the Ministry said, "As a precaution, against COVID-19, large congregations in the ceremony be avoided. It is imperative that Covid guidelines are followed". The Home Ministry also asked government departments and educational institutions to carry out tree plantation programmes to spread awareness for conservation of environment. India added 16,561 new coronavirus cases taking the total tally of Covid cases to 4,42,23,557, while the active cases dipped to 1,23,535, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,26,928 with 49 fatalities which include 10 deaths reconciled by Kerala. Retail inflation slips below 7% for first time since April [India’s retail inflation slipped below the 7% mark]( for the first time since April, easing to 6.71% in July from 7.01% in June. This is the seventh month in a row that the pace of price rise has been over the upper tolerance limit of 6% pursued by the central bank’s monetary policy committee. Rural inflation eased from 7.09% in June to 6.8% in July, while urban consumers faced a price rise of 6.49% compared to 6.86% a month earlier. Inflation in Consumer Food Prices moderated to 6.75% in July from 7.75% in June. Meanwhile, [India’s industrial output grew 12.3% in June]( moderating from 19.6% this May, led by a 16.4% uptick in electricity and 12.5% growth in manufacturing. Mining activity grew 7.5% in the month. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP), however, grew only 0.14% over May 2022 levels, with Manufacturing being the only sector to report a sequential uptick in output in June, rising 1.34%. Production of consumer durables and capital goods led the growth trajectory among use-based categories for the second month in a row, rising 26.1% and 23.8%, respectively, in June. This is the third successive month of output growth for consumer durables after six months of contraction. By contrast, consumer non-durables output growth crawled for the second month in a row, rising just 2.9% in June after a 0.9% rise in May. Primary goods output rose 13.7%, followed by intermediate goods (11%) and infrastructure/construction items which grew 8%. However, these three sectors reported a sequential decline from May’s output levels, with primary goods slipping 3.8%, intermediate goods 2.9% and construction goods 2.7%. No PM ambitions but ready to play role in forging Opposition unity, says Nitish Kumar Bihar Chief Minister [Nitish Kumar maintained that he had no prime ministerial ambitions]( but said he was looking forward to play a “positive” role in forging opposition unity against the ruling NDA at the Centre. “Please do not ask me such questions, I have said many times that I harbour no such ambitions. I want to serve my State,” Mr. Kumar asserted, with folded hands, replying to journalists who asked whether the people of Bihar could one day see him as the Prime Minister. However, when asked what role he saw for himself in forging unity among disjointed opposition parties, Mr. Kumar said, “Our role will be positive. I have been receiving many telephone calls. It is my wish that all come together (against the BJP-led NDA). You will see some action in the days to come.” To a query about the fear of ED and CBI being unleashed on the new ruling dispensation, he said, “I have no such fears. Remember one thing, even if a habit has been formed of misuse (of agencies), those indulging in the same will be closely watched by the people.” The JD(U) leader was also asked whether he would be going to Gujarat, the home turf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to campaign for the Assembly elections scheduled later this year. “You will get to know about that in due course”, Mr. Kumar added. The BJP alleged that "jungle raj" has returned to Bihar with the RJD-JD(U) government assuming power as it cited a string of murders and other crimes to attack the alliance. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference that several people, including journalists, have been killed and a temple priest was beheaded since the two parties joined hands to form the government after the Janata Dal (United) snapped ties with the saffron party. In Brief [Bottles of Johnson & Johnson baby powder line a shelf in a New York store. File] [Johnson & Johnson will stop selling its talc-based baby powder globally]( in 2023, the drugmaker said, over two years after it ended U.S. sales of the product that drew thousands of consumer safety lawsuits. “As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio,” it said, adding that cornstarch-based baby powder is already sold in countries around the world. In 2020, J&J announced that it would stop selling its talc Baby Powder in the U.S. and Canada because demand had fallen in the wake of what it called “misinformation” about the product’s safety amid a barrage of legal challenges. The company faces about 38,000 lawsuits from consumers and their survivors claiming its talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos, a known carcinogen. J&J denies the allegations, saying decades of scientific testing and regulatory approvals have shown its talc to be safe and asbestos-free. 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