• A man stormed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution in the US state of New York and began assaulting Salman Rushdie as he was being introduced. AP
    A man stormed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution in the US state of New York and began assaulting Salman Rushdie as he was being introduced. AP
  • Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday while giving a lecture in western New York. AP
    Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday while giving a lecture in western New York. AP
  • Bloodstains mark a screen on the stage where Rushdie was attacked. AP
    Bloodstains mark a screen on the stage where Rushdie was attacked. AP
  • Rushdie, behind screen left, is tended to after being attacked on stage. AP
    Rushdie, behind screen left, is tended to after being attacked on stage. AP
  • Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known. AP
    Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known. AP
  • Concerns about the author's security have been raised in the past. AP
    Concerns about the author's security have been raised in the past. AP
  • Iranian women hold banners during a demonstration against Rushdie in Tehran. AFP
    Iranian women hold banners during a demonstration against Rushdie in Tehran. AFP
  • Pro-Iranian Hezbollah protesters burn an effigy of Rushdie in Beirut, Lebanon. AFP
    Pro-Iranian Hezbollah protesters burn an effigy of Rushdie in Beirut, Lebanon. AFP
  • Though born in India, Rushdie has lived mostly between London and New York City. Reuters
    Though born in India, Rushdie has lived mostly between London and New York City. Reuters

World

US

Salman Rushdie gives first interview since assassination attempt

Novelist says his condition is 'not so bad' considering severity of attack

The National

February 06, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Author Salman Rushdie expressed his gratitude for the tributes sent to him after he was repeatedly stabbed in an assassination attempt last year.

The attack at the Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York left Rushdie with loss of sight in one eye and other life-changing injuries.

His contemporaries paid tribute to the author in the days after the attack.

“I’m lucky. What I really want to say is that my main overwhelming feeling is gratitude,” he told The New Yorker in his first interview since the attack.

  • People attend a rally in support of author Salman Rushdie in New York. Getty Images / AFP
    People attend a rally in support of author Salman Rushdie in New York. Getty Images / AFP
  • One week after Rushdie was stabbed while on stage, a gathering was held to read selected works by the British author outside the New York Public Library. AFP
    One week after Rushdie was stabbed while on stage, a gathering was held to read selected works by the British author outside the New York Public Library. AFP
  • Rushdie was attacked and stabbed multiple times while giving a talk at the Chautauqua Institution. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie was attacked and stabbed multiple times while giving a talk at the Chautauqua Institution. Getty Images / AFP
  • His accused attacker pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault. Getty Images / AFP
    His accused attacker pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault. Getty Images / AFP
  • Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and president of freedom of speech non-profit PEN America, speaks in show of solidarity with Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
    Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and president of freedom of speech non-profit PEN America, speaks in show of solidarity with Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
  • Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for A Visit From the Goon Squad. Getty Images / AFP
    Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for A Visit From the Goon Squad. Getty Images / AFP
  • Rushdie wrote the controversial novel 'The Satanic Verses'. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie wrote the controversial novel 'The Satanic Verses'. Getty Images / AFP
  • Police officers guard the steps of the New York Public Library to show support for Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
    Police officers guard the steps of the New York Public Library to show support for Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
  • Supporters carry home-made signs. Getty Images / AFP
    Supporters carry home-made signs. Getty Images / AFP
  • The rally was held between the iconic New York Public Library lions. Getty Images / AFP
    The rally was held between the iconic New York Public Library lions. Getty Images / AFP
  • Rushdie's attacker was named as Hadi Matar of New Jersey. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie's attacker was named as Hadi Matar of New Jersey. Getty Images / AFP
  • US leaders, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Tony Blinken condemned the attack on Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
    US leaders, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Tony Blinken condemned the attack on Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
  • Rushdie made a name for himself in the US as a champion of free speech. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie made a name for himself in the US as a champion of free speech. Getty Images / AFP
  • Rushdie spent years under police protection after Iranian leaders called for his killing over his portrayal of Islam. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie spent years under police protection after Iranian leaders called for his killing over his portrayal of Islam. Getty Images / AFP
  • Hasan Mujtaba, a poet of Pakistani origin, attends the event. Getty Images / AFP
    Hasan Mujtaba, a poet of Pakistani origin, attends the event. Getty Images / AFP
  • Poet and activist Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks. Getty Images / AFP
    Poet and activist Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks. Getty Images / AFP
  • A man holds a sign that reads: #StandWithSalman. AFP
    A man holds a sign that reads: #StandWithSalman. AFP
  • Though severely injured, Rushdie is recovering well, family members and friends say. AFP
    Though severely injured, Rushdie is recovering well, family members and friends say. AFP
  • A police officer watches as writers gather to read Rushdie's works. Getty Images / AFP
    A police officer watches as writers gather to read Rushdie's works. Getty Images / AFP

Rushdie also expressed his gratitude to the first responders and healthcare providers who tended to him.

“At some point, I’d like to go back up there and say thank you,” he said.

In addition to the loss of sight, Rushdie was left “incapacitated” in one hand, rendering it useless, and suffered injuries to his neck and abdomen after being repeatedly stabbed.

On Monday he shared a headshot of himself wearing spectacles, with one lens darkened.

He told The New Yorker's David Remnick he was “not so bad” considering the seriousness of his wounds.

“As you can see, the big injuries are healed, essentially. I have feeling in my thumb and index finger and in the bottom half of the palm,” he said.

I’m doing a lot of hand therapy and I’m told that I’m doing very well.”

Rushdie said he was still struggling to write because of his injured hand and a mental block.

His new novel, Victory City, was due to hit bookshelves on Tuesday in the US and Thursday in the UK.

Former Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against the author in 1989 for his novel The Satanic Verses, a book that angered many Muslims.

Hadi Matar, the man accused of stabbing Rushdie, did not say whether he attacked him because of the fatwa but did say he had respect for the late Iranian leader.

Matar, a Lebanese American, was charged with second-degree attempted murder and assault charges.

The US accused Iran of inciting violence against the novelist for years. Iran denied any involvement with the attack.

Salman Rushdie's accused attacker Hadi Matar -- in pictures

  • Nathaniel Barone, defence attorney for Hadi Matar, talks with his client. AP
    Nathaniel Barone, defence attorney for Hadi Matar, talks with his client. AP
  • Hadi Matar at the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department following the attack on Salman Rushdie. AP
    Hadi Matar at the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department following the attack on Salman Rushdie. AP
  • Mr Matar, who has been accused of stabbing Rushdie at a literary event, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges. AFP
    Mr Matar, who has been accused of stabbing Rushdie at a literary event, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges. AFP
  • Mr Matar listens to his public defence attorney, Nathaniel Barone, while being arraigned in the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York. AP
    Mr Matar listens to his public defence attorney, Nathaniel Barone, while being arraigned in the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York. AP
  • Mr Matar arrives for his arraignment. AP
    Mr Matar arrives for his arraignment. AP
  • Mr Matar said that he took a bus to Buffalo, New York, and then a Lyft to the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie was speaking. AP
    Mr Matar said that he took a bus to Buffalo, New York, and then a Lyft to the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie was speaking. AP
  • Mr Matar told 'The New York Post' that a tweet announcing the author's visit to the Chautauqua Institution gave him the idea of going there. AP
    Mr Matar told 'The New York Post' that a tweet announcing the author's visit to the Chautauqua Institution gave him the idea of going there. AP
  • Mr Matar said that he has only read two pages of 'The Satanic Verses' by author Rushdie, whom he is accused of trying to murder. AP
    Mr Matar said that he has only read two pages of 'The Satanic Verses' by author Rushdie, whom he is accused of trying to murder. AP
  • Mr Matar is accused of stabbing Rushdie and faces attempted murder charges. AP
    Mr Matar is accused of stabbing Rushdie and faces attempted murder charges. AP
  • A plain-clothed police officer stands near the entrance of the building where Mr Matar lives in Fairview, New Jersey. Reuters
    A plain-clothed police officer stands near the entrance of the building where Mr Matar lives in Fairview, New Jersey. Reuters
  • Police cordon off an area outside Mr Matar's house. Reuters
    Police cordon off an area outside Mr Matar's house. Reuters
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Mica

Director: Ismael Ferroukhi

Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani

3 stars

The Specs

Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)

Torque: 730Nm

Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS) 

SPEC%20SHEET
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M2%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206%2C%20Bluetooth%205.0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%2C%20midnight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%20or%2035W%20dual-port%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C999%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Why seagrass matters
  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
  • Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
  • Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
  • Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
On Women's Day
Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

ICC Academy, November 22-28

UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal

ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan 

UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

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The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Interview
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League last 16, second leg
Liverpool (0) v Atletico Madrid (1)
Venue: Anfield
Kick-off: Thursday, March 12, midnight
Live: On beIN Sports HD

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

Updated: February 07, 2023, 10:19 AM
New York