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Salman Rushdie taken off ventilator, can talk; accused pleads 'not guilty'
Renowned author Salman Rushdie was taken off a ventilator and will be able to talk, a day after he was stabbed in western New York State on Friday morning during a lecture. Rushdie's agent, Andrew Wylie, confirmed that Rushdie was taken off a ventilator and could be able to talk, without giving further details, according to the Washington Post. Earlier, Hadi Matar, who is suspected of stabbing Indian-born-British author Salman Rushdie, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder in the second degree and other charges in a New York court. Matar was arraigned in centralised arraignment on Saturday and was remanded without bail at Chautauqua County Jail.According to Nathaniel Barone, his public defender said that Matar pleaded not guilty, CNN reported. On Friday, Matar was brought before a court on charges of attempted murder in the second degree and assault in the second degree and was remanded without bail at Chautauqua County Jail."On August 12, 2022, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Hadi Matar, 24 of Fairview, NJ for Attempted Murder 2nd degree (B Felony) and Assault 2nd degree. Matar was processed at SP Jamestown and transported to Chautauqua County Jail. Matar was arraigned in centralized arraignment on August 13, 2022, and was remanded without bail at Chautauqua County Jail," the New York State Police said in a statement. According to the statement, "On August 12, 2022, at about 10:47 a.m., a male suspect later identified as Hadi Matar, 24 of Fairview, NJ ran up onto the stage and attacked Salman Rushdie, 75. Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and chest and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known. "'The New York State police further informed that the co-speaker for the event, Ralph Henry Reese, 73 also suffered a minor head injury. The staff members of the Chautauqua Institution and guests went on stage to assist in holding down the suspect. A State Trooper assigned to the event was next to the stage and took the suspect into custody. Rushdie, who faced death threats over his book 'The Satanic Verses', was stabbed on stage in Western New York state. New York State Police identified the suspect on Friday. Describing the whole incident, New York State Police said in a statement that a male suspect ran up onto the stage prior to a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua and attacked Rushdie.It said the author suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. A suspect has been taken into custody.The seventy-five-year-old author caught the limelight for his novel 'Midnight's Children' in 1981. His 1988 book 'The Satanic Verses' led to a fatwa, a religious decree, by the then Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The threat forced him into hiding for several years.The attack on Rushdie has drawn wide international condemnation."Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising a right we should never cease to defend. Right now my thoughts are with his loved ones. We are all hoping he is okay," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a tweet.UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was shocked and appalled to hear of the unprovoked and senseless attack on Sir Salman Rushdie."Freedom of expression is a value we hold dear and attempts to undermine it must not be tolerated. My thoughts are with Sir Salman and his family."
14 August,2022 08:02 AM IST | Washington | ANI
CRPF personnel injured in grenade attack in Srinagar
A CRPF personnel was injured when militants hurled a grenade at security forces personnel in Eidgah locality of Srinagar on Saturday, police said. "One grenade was lobbed by terrorist(s) towards security forces on Ali Jan Road, Eidgah," the Srinagar police tweeted. The police said the explosion caused minor splinter injuries to one personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). A cordon-and-search operation has been launched to nab the culprits, they added. The grenade attack came two days after four soldiers were killed in a pre-dawn strike by two terrorists on an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 August,2022 10:18 PM IST | Srinagar | PTI
Didn't let China intrude into India's territory: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday India did not let China enter its territory and appealed to political parties not to politicise issues related to the country's security. Whatever are the comments and beliefs, India did not let anybody trespass on its territory, he said. The government has accorded top priority to the safety and security of people of India, Rajnath said stressing that a befitting reply will be given to anyone who tries to disturb the country's peace and harmony. "Many incidents happened in this matter, which only we two-three people know. I cannot divulge those details but we did not let them infiltrate into our territory," he said. Rajnath appealed to the political parties not to politicise the issue. Rajnath said the armed forces are being equipped with the latest weapons and technology, and they are ready to deal with all future threats. Underlining the importance of achieving self-reliance in defence production to build a strong military, he said his ministry has undertaken a number of reforms to manufacture indigenous weapons. "Due to the measures taken by the government in the past a few years, India has leapfrogged to find a place among the top 25 defence exporters of the world. By the end of this decade, India will not only make defence equipment for itself but also fulfil needs of friendly foreign countries," he said. Rajnath said the BJP practises what it preaches as he unveiled a statue of a Rajput general of the Mughal era. "It is said that there is a difference between what politicians say and do," Rajnath said unveiling the statue Veer Durgadas Rathore at Salvan Kalan village of Jodhpur on the Rajput general's 385th birth anniversary. "But the BJP does what it says. We get this inspiration from sons of the soil like Veer Durgadas Rathore," Rajnath said in his address. Praising the installation of the statue, Rajnath said Rathore stood for religious harmony. "We need to learn from him at a time when some powers are conspiring to widen the rift between Hindus and Muslims," he said. Earlier in the day, Rajnath was received by Union Jal Shakti Mantri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Rajya Sabha MP Rajendra Gehlot and other BJP leaders at the airport. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 August,2022 10:14 PM IST | Jodhpur | PTI
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah tests positive for Covid-19 again
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday tested positive for Covid-19, a party leader said. He said the 85-year-old MP from Srinagar was doing fine and has self-isolated at home. Abdullah had first tested positive in April last year. He was hospitalised then for some days on the advice of doctors for better care. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 August,2022 10:09 PM IST | Srinagar | PTI
Maharashtra: Man beats to death stepson, injures daughter-in-law in Nagpur
A man allegedly beat his stepson to death and grievously injured his daughter-in-law during an argument over throwing garbage, police in Nagpur in Maharashtra said on Saturday. The incident took place in Shriram Nagar shanty colony in Wathoda on Friday night, an official said. "Accused Irfan Imran Ali (42) beat to death his stepson Javed Ali (22) with a wooden stick and then assaulted his daughter-in-law Umeja Javed Ali (19). She has grievous injuries. The fight started over garbage being thrown in front of each other's homes," the official said. Irfan Ali and his associate Kalim Sheikh have been arrested for murder, he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 August,2022 10:03 PM IST | Nagpur | PTI
Har Ghar Tiranga
What is the Flag Code of India? rules and regulations to hoist tricolour
The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India's independence kicked off today. The campaign initiated as part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' will run till August 15. The Central government has urged people to hoist or display the tricolour in their homes from August 13 to 15 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's independence. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of India's people, culture and achievements. The Flag Code of India: The government has amended the Flag Code of India to allow the tricolour to be displayed in the open and on individual houses or buildings day and night. In a letter to secretaries of all central ministries and departments, union home secretary Ajay Bhalla said the display, hoisting and use of the Indian national flag is governed by the Flag Code of India, 2002 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The Flag Code of India, 2002 has been further amended through an order on July, 20, 2022 and clause (xi) of paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India, 2002 shall now be read as under:- (xi) "where the Flag is displayed in open or displayed on the house of a member of public, it may be flown day and night". Similarly, paragraph 1.2 of Part-I of the Flag Code of India, 2002 shall now be read as under: 1.2. "The National Flag shall be made of hand spun and hand woven or machine made, cotton/ polyester/ wool/ silk khadi bunting." Which material can be used in making the flag? The Flag Code of India has been amended allowing the use of polyester, apart from cotton, wool, silk and khadi for making hand-spun, hand-woven and machine-made flags. Who is allowed to fly a national flag? According to the Flag Code of India, any person, organisation, private or public, or educational institution (including scout camps) can hoist or display the Tricolour on “all days or occasions in accordance with the dignity and honour of the National Flag”. Till what time the national flag be flown? The government has changed the country's flag code by allowing the tricolour to fly both day and night. How should you choose a flag? The flag can be as big or small as one wants “but the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the National Flag shall be 3:2”. Can it be put up on vehicles? The National Flag cannot be flown on any vehicle except those of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governor and other dignitaries. The flag should also not be used to cover the sides, back, and top of any vehicle. (With inputs from ANI and PTI)
13 August,2022 10:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Independence Day 2022
Wishes, images, quotes to share and celebrate India’s freedom
India will be celebrating its 75 years of independence on August 15, 2022. To celebrate India’s 75th year of freedom, the Centre has kicked off the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and hoist it. The campaign initiated as part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,' to commemorate India's 75th year of freedom will run till August 15. India won independence from the British on August 15, 1947, after 200 years of oppressive rule. It was on this day, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort. Also Read: Independence Day 2022: History, significance and rare facts about India's freedom struggle A year-long celebration under the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ campaign is being held across all states of the country. As we celebrate this historic day of our nation, here are some best wishes, quotes and images to share with dear ones. Wishes: • Let’s keep our country united. Happy Independence Day. • Wishing you a Happy Independence Day 2022!• A big thank you to all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and to those who are on the border protecting us. Happy Independence Day.• Divided by religion, united by one nation. Happy Independence Day! Quotes: • “Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?" - Mahatma Gandhi • “You give me your blood and I will give you Independence!” - Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose • “It is easy to kill individuals, but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled, while the ideas survived.” - Bhagat Singh • "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it" - Bal Gangadhar Tilak Also Read: Har Ghar Tiranga: What is the Flag Code of India? rules and regulations to hoist tricolour
13 August,2022 09:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Independence Day 2022: History, significance and rare facts
On August 15 this year, India will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day from oppressive British rule. Independence Day marks the occasion when India finally achieved freedom against the Britishers on August 15, 1947. A special event called 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' is organised by the Indian government as a tribute to our freedom fighters. The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, under the aegis of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' to encourage people to hoist the Tricolour at homes, was kicked off on August 13. The Central government has urged people to hoist or display the Tricolour in their homes from August 13 to 15 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's independence. Independence Day: History India’s freedom struggle against the British colonial rule was long-drawn spanning over 200 years and it was marked by many movements. Also Read: Independence Day 2022: Exciting places in India you can plan a trip to this year The Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British House of Commons on 4 July 1947 and it was passed within a fortnight. It marked the end of over 200 years of British rule on August 15, 1947. Many leaders played a prominent role in the Indian freedom struggle, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, and many more. Independence Day: Significance India's Independence Day is significant as it stands as a reminder of the sacrifices that many freedom fighters made to get independence from British rule. It is a national holiday and it is usually observed throughout the nation with the hoisting of the tricolour, parades and cultural events. India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 1947. It is a tradition that has since been followed by every Prime Minister with an address to the country. Also Read: Har Ghar Tiranga: What is the Flag Code of India? rules and regulations to hoist tricolour Independence Day: Rare Facts 1. The Indian national flag with three horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and green was hoisted on August 7, 1906, at Parsee Bagan Square in Kolkata. The first variant of our current national flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya in 1921. The current flag with saffron, white and green stripes with the 24-spoke Ashok Chakra was officially adopted on July 22, 1947, and hoisted on August 15, 1947. 2. The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement, was a movement launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8 1942, during World War II, demanding an end to British rule in India. Also Read: IN PHOTOS: Mumbai Police gear up for Independence Day parade 3. India did not have an official national anthem at the time of Independence. The song ‘Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata’, composed in 1911 by Rabindranath Tagore, was renamed ‘Jan Gan Man’. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India as the National Anthem on January 24, 1950. 4. The boundary line between India and Pakistan, also known as the Radcliffe Line was demarcated by British barrister Sir Cyril Radcliffe on August 3, 1947. It was officially published only on August 17, 1947, two days after India got its independence from the British. 5. India got Independence at the ‘stroke’ of midnight on August 15, 1947. Korea, Congo, Bahrain and Liechtenstein also share their Independence Day with India on this day.
13 August,2022 08:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Utterly horrified and shocked: Shashi Tharoor on Salman Rushdie attack
Congress leader and author Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said he was "utterly horrified" by the stabbing of novelist Salman Rushdie in New York and expressed concern over whether creative expression can be free and open. Rushdie was on a ventilator with a damaged liver and may lose one of his eyes after he was stabbed in the neck and abdomen by a man on stage at a literary event in upstate New York. The Mumbai-born controversial author, who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing "The Satanic Verses", was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident identified as Hadi Matar on stage on Friday while he was being introduced at the event of the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York. "Utterly horrified & shocked by the stabbing of @SalmanRushdie. Wish him a speedy & complete recovery from his wounds, even though, with a sinking heart, I recognize that life for him can never be the same again," Tharoor tweeted. Utterly horrified & shocked by the stabbing of @SalmanRushdie. Wish him a speedy & complete recovery from his wounds, even though, with a sinking heart, I recognize that life for him can never be the same again. A sad day, worse if creative expression can no longer be free &open. — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 13, 2022 "A sad day, worse if creative expression can no longer be free & open," he said. Rushdie was airlifted from a field adjacent to the venue to a hospital in northwestern Pennsylvania where the 75-year-old writer underwent surgery. The writer has also won the Booker Prize for his novel "Midnight's Children". This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 August,2022 04:04 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Hooch claims 7 lives in Bihar's Saran district
At least seven people have died in the last three days allegedly after consuming spurious liquor in Saran district of Bihar which is a dry state, a senior police officer said on Saturday. The incident occurred after 11 people died and several others fell ill after drinking hooch in the same district last week. "Seven people have so far died in Masudhi area since August 10. Villagers claim that the deceased consumed spurious liquor. The exact cause of death can only be ascertained after getting post-mortem examination reports,¿ Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar said. Searches are being conducted to nab the suspected bootleggers, the SP said. The incident of last week had happened in Phulwariya panchayat falling under Maker police station. The SHO of the police station and the local chowkidar have been suspended. The sale and consumption of alcohol have been banned in Bihar since April 2016. However, since November last year, the state reported a number of hooch tragedies in which more than 60 people have died. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 August,2022 03:30 PM IST | Saran | PTI
Sonia Gandhi tests positive for Covid-19 again
Over two months after contracting the coronavirus infection, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday tested positive for Covid-19 again and will remain in isolation. Earlier this week, her daughter and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had also tested positive. "Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi has tested positive for Covid-19 today. She will remain in isolation as per Govt. protocol," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet Saturday. Sonia Gandhi had tested positive for COVID-19 in early June as well. Days after she had tested positive, the 75-year-old leader was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on June 12. She was discharged on June 20. "Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi has tested positive for Covid-19 today. We wish her speedy recovery and good health," the party said on its official Twitter handle on Saturday. Several leaders including Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, wished Gandhi a speedy recovery. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Concerned to hear that Smt Sonia Gandhi ji has tested positive for Covid. Wishing her a speedy recovery and good health." Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Srinivas BV, among others, also wished her a speedy recovery. Several Congress leaders have contracted Covid recently including Kharge, party general secretary Ajay Maken, communications department head Pawan Khera and party MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 August,2022 03:22 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI