Rushdie stabbed up to 15 times on stage
Sir Salman Rushdie is on a ventilator at hospital and could lose an eye after being stabbed at a theatre in upstate New York yesterday, his agent said. The British author was about to give a talk on the United States being a haven for persecuted writers when an attacker charged on to the stage. Rushdie, 75, spent nearly a decade in hiding after the Iranian leader...Sir Salman Rushdie is on a ventilator at hospital and could lose an eye after being stabbed at a...Sir Salman Rushdie is on a ventilator at hospital and could lose an eye after being stabbed at a...
weather
Keep showers to four minutes and don’t wash your car, parched nation told
People were urged to take four-minute showers, tip bath water on plants and let cars gather dust after a drought was...People were urged to take four-minute showers, tip bath water on plants and let cars gather dust after a drought was declared yesterday in half of England. Millions of households are to face hosepipe bans after the driest summer for 50 years and fears that the drought could continue into next year. Yorkshire Water...People were urged to take four-minute showers, tip bath water on plants and let cars gather dust after a drought was declared...
Saturday Interview
Raab: Anyone who thinks Rishi betrayed Boris is kidding themselves
COST OF LIVING
Things won’t be easy but help is coming on bills, says Johnson
The government has not done enough to help people with the cost of living crisis, Boris Johnson admitted yesterday, as he warned whoever succeeds him that they will have to do more. Speaking on a visit to north Wales the prime...The government has not done enough to help people with the cost of living crisis, Boris Johnson admitted yesterday, as he warned whoever succeeds him that they will have to do more. Speaking on a visit to north Wales the prime...The government has not done enough to help people with the cost of living crisis, Boris Johnson admitted yesterday...
COST OF LIVING
Keep cutting prices, forecourts urged as petrol falls below 175p a litre
The average price of petrol across the UK has dropped below 175p a litre for the first time in more than two months, as motoring groups argued that supermarkets should do more to pass on falling wholesale costs to consumers.The average price of petrol across the UK has dropped below 175p a litre for the first time in more than two months, as motoring groups argued that supermarkets should do more to pass on falling wholesale costs to consumers.The average price of petrol across the UK has dropped below 175p a litre for the first time in more than two months...
COST OF LIVING
Starmer denies being missing in action
politics in depth
Will Tory tribes declare peace or is it Heath v Thatcher all over again?
This weekend Liz Truss will start planning for the government that she hopes to lead after September 5. So far the foreign secretary has been reluctant to engage in transition planning, not least because she still doesn’t quite believe that she...This weekend Liz Truss will start planning for the government that she hopes to lead after...This weekend Liz Truss will start planning for the government that she hopes to lead after...
WEATHER
Water firms pay £1bn dividends as the taps run dry
Bosses were rewarded with bumper pay rises and bonuses despite losing millions of litres a day to leaks
MY WEEK
Liz Truss*
interview
My incredible wife, Deborah James, by the man who knew her best
How do you live when your wife is dying? It must be one of the hardest challenges in the world. Sebastien Bowen spent five years after Deborah James was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer knowing that they didn’t have much time left together...How do you live when your wife is dying? It must be one of the hardest challenges in the world.How do you live when your wife is dying? It must be one of the hardest challenges in the world.
first night | pop
Coldplay – Feel-good factor rubs off at triumphant homecoming
★★★★☆
The first of Coldplay’s homecoming shows was a circus of feel-good soft-rock, led by a man so thrilled to perform that he had the air of a sugared-up toddler. Chris Martin seemed to age backwards during the two hours Coldplay were on stage...★★★★☆
The first of Coldplay’s homecoming shows was a circus of feel-good soft-rock, led by a...★★★★☆
The first of Coldplay’s homecoming shows was a circus of feel-good soft-rock, led by a...
EDUCATION
The forgotten Brunel encourages girls to become engineers
She was described as “Brunel in petticoats” and was thought to be “a remarkably talented woman who understood her...She was described as “Brunel in petticoats” and was thought to be “a remarkably talented woman...She was described as “Brunel in petticoats” and was thought to be “a remarkably talented woman...
THE TIMES DIARY
Mogg adds to Urban legend
When MPs return to parliament next month, keep your ear out for some odd phrases in the chamber. Politics Home...When MPs return to parliament next month, keep your ear out for some odd phrases in the chamber.When MPs return to parliament next month, keep your ear out for some odd phrases in the chamber.
‘Battle of Britain moment’ for Ukraine’s fighter pilots
Twisting his Sukhoi Su-25 in a tight, low turn, the young Ukrainian pilot threw his pursuer off his tail, but only for a few seconds: his “Frogfoot”, a ground-attack aircraft, was no match for the super-manoeuvrable Su-30 interceptor and soon it was lighting him up again. The Russian pilot had chased him halfway across Ukraine and the two jets were now nearing his...Twisting his Sukhoi Su-25 in a tight, low turn, the young Ukrainian pilot threw his pursuer off...Twisting his Sukhoi Su-25 in a tight, low turn, the young Ukrainian pilot threw his pursuer off...
Modi is bolstered by casting India’s Muslims as the foe
When Narendra Modi decreed that 200 million flags should fly across the country to mark 75 years of India’s...When Narendra Modi decreed that 200 million flags should fly across the country to mark 75 years of India’s independence from Britain, manufacturers went into overdrive. Old standards that decreed only natural fibres be used were junked but demand could still hardly keep up. Sweating in Delhi’s monsoon heat, Atul...When Narendra Modi decreed that 200 million flags should fly across the country to mark 75 years of India’s independence from...
world in depth
Shark attacks the ‘new normal’ for New Yorkers
Italian frontrunner accused of keeping fascism alive
The hard-right candidate tipped to become Italy’s first female prime minister is facing demands to drop a fascist...The hard-right candidate tipped to become Italy’s first female prime minister is facing demands...The hard-right candidate tipped to become Italy’s first female prime minister is facing demands...
Passenger wins his 21p rail refund after 22-year battle
Slow, crowded and uncomfortably hot, trains in India often cause irritation, so when one lawyer was overcharged for a...Slow, crowded and uncomfortably hot, trains in India often cause irritation, so when one lawyer...Slow, crowded and uncomfortably hot, trains in India often cause irritation, so when one lawyer...
video
Brown bear rescued after getting high on ‘mad honey’
A disoriented brown bear cub, believed to have achieved its peculiar glazed state by consuming excessive levels of “mad honey”, has been rescued in northwestern Turkey. Video taken in the Yigilca district of Duzce Province shows the bear in a...A disoriented brown bear cub, believed to have achieved its peculiar glazed state by consuming...A disoriented brown bear cub, believed to have achieved its peculiar glazed state by consuming...
Energy prices push trade deficit to record high
Britain’s trade deficit in the first half of this year reached its highest level as a share of GDP for any six-month period since records began in the mid-1950s. The rising price of oil and gas across the world weighed on the UK’s trade balance in the first two quarters of 2022 and is poised to...Britain’s trade deficit in the first half of this year reached its highest level as a share of GDP for any six-month period since records began in the mid-1950s. The rising price of oil and gas across the world weighed on the UK’s trade balance in the first two quarters of 2022 and is poised to...Britain’s trade deficit in the first half of this year reached its highest level as a share of GDP for any six-month period...
Drug case could pit GSK against Haleon
GSK risks a potential legal dispute with Haleon, its recently demerged consumer healthcare business, if a series of lawsuits relating to the safety of the heartburn drug Zantac leads to liabilities. The British drugmaker and the US group Pfizer have notified Haleon of potential claims under indemnification provisions made when their joint...GSK risks a potential legal dispute with Haleon, its recently demerged consumer healthcare business, if a series of lawsuits relating to the safety of the heartburn drug Zantac leads to liabilities. The British drugmaker and the US group Pfizer have notified Haleon of potential claims under indemnification provisions made when their joint...GSK risks a potential legal dispute with Haleon, its recently demerged consumer healthcare business, if a series of lawsuits...
Europe’s economy feels the heat from every direction
Since the start of Europe’s scorching summer, the European Central Bank has been quietly pumping extra billions of euros into the bond markets of its most indebted economies, activating the first line of its vast financial defence against the threat of a sovereign debt meltdown. The eurozone’s monetary authority...Since the start of Europe’s scorching summer, the European Central Bank has been quietly pumping...Since the start of Europe’s scorching summer, the European Central Bank has been quietly pumping...
comment
City that never sleeps strives to get out of its pyjamas and back to the office
New York is humming again. En route to meet a British chief executive passing through the city this summer, I...New York is humming again. En route to meet a British chief executive passing through the city...New York is humming again. En route to meet a British chief executive passing through the city...
American bet pays off for Flutter as rival 888 slips
They say the bookmaker always wins, but yesterday two of Britain’s biggest betting groups suffered contrasting...They say the bookmaker always wins, but yesterday two of Britain’s biggest betting groups...They say the bookmaker always wins, but yesterday two of Britain’s biggest betting groups...
Spain says gas pipeline may be ready in a year
The Spanish energy minister backed plans for a new gas pipeline yesterday that could be up and running within a year to counter Russia’s threat to cut off supplies to Europe. “This new interconnection, this gas pipeline, could...The Spanish energy minister backed plans for a new gas pipeline yesterday that could be up and running within a year to counter Russia’s threat to cut off supplies to Europe. “This new interconnection, this gas pipeline, could...The Spanish energy minister backed plans for a new gas pipeline yesterday that could be up and running within a year...
Abrdn buys into a digital and blockchain future
Abrdn has taken its first step into the digital assets industry after the FTSE 100 fund management group took a stake in the blockchain-focused start-up Archax. The deal, which is for an undisclosed price, will enable Abrdn to...Abrdn has taken its first step into the digital assets industry after the FTSE 100 fund management group took a stake in the blockchain-focused start-up Archax. The deal, which is for an undisclosed price, will enable Abrdn to...Abrdn has taken its first step into the digital assets industry after the FTSE 100 fund management group took a stake...
need to know
Your 3-minute digest
FOOTBALL
PSG to offer Rashford long-term deal to partner Mbappé
newParis Saint-Germain are preparing to offer a long-term contract to Marcus Rashford and a transfer fee to Manchester United with the aim of signing the England forward this month. The decision to formally pursue Rashford follows positive discussions between the striker and the Qatar-owned club.Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to offer a long-term contract to Marcus Rashford and a transfer fee to Manchester United with the aim of signing the England forward this month. The decision to formally pursue Rashford follows positive discussions between the striker and the Qatar-owned club.Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to offer a long-term contract to Marcus Rashford and a transfer fee to Manchester United with...
Matt Dickinson | 1999 Treble
Inside story of how Ferguson resigned on eve of Treble-winning season
‘We are worried about your focus.” Alex Ferguson could hardly believe his ears. It was June 1998 and the most successful manager at work in the game had been summoned back from a family holiday in France expecting to discuss transfer targets. Instead he was being accused of being a cause of United’s slump. Across a table in offices in...‘We are worried about your focus.” Alex Ferguson could hardly believe his ears. It was June 1998 and the most successful manager at work in the game had been summoned back from a family holiday in France expecting to discuss transfer targets. Instead he was being accused of being a cause of United’s slump. Across a table in offices in...‘We are worried about your focus.” Alex Ferguson could hardly believe his ears. It was June 1998 and the most successful...
tennis
Raducanu to face ‘inspirational’ Williams in blockbuster contest
Emma Raducanu will experience what it is like to stand across the net from Serena Williams after the Cincinnati Open draw pitted her against the great veteran just weeks before the American is due to hang up her racket. The blockbuster first-round match on Monday night will be a moment to savour for Raducanu...Emma Raducanu will experience what it is like to stand across the net from Serena Williams after...Emma Raducanu will experience what it is like to stand across the net from Serena Williams after...
matt dickinson | 1999 Treble
‘Keano was amazing but we didn’t talk for years after he told me to go back to my penthouse in my Ferrari’
Football | Owen Slot
What it’s like to be a head coach’s wife
Rugby Union | Michael Cheika interview
‘Grief? Eddie had the red carpet rolled out for him in Australia’
Football | Gregor Robertson
United want vision? They need to watch Brentford
First, a question: how many players signed by Manchester United in the past decade have improved or increased in value during their time at Old Trafford? It is a thought that emerged after watching United’s 2-1 home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, a whimpering start to another new era. Erik ten Hag’s first game as head coach was followed by reports of...First, a question: how many players signed by Manchester United in the past decade have improved...First, a question: how many players signed by Manchester United in the past decade have improved...
Cricket
From lanky ‘work experience’ lad to Test giant in making
A 21-year-old Marco Jansen is bowling to Jasprit Bumrah at an especially tense moment on the third day of the second...A 21-year-old Marco Jansen is bowling to Jasprit Bumrah at an especially tense moment on the third day of the second Test at the Wanderers in January. He bowls a bouncer that the India No 10 avoids and then another, which makes glancing contact. Bumrah advances down the pitch and gesticulates angrily. Jansen, having...A 21-year-old Marco Jansen is bowling to Jasprit Bumrah at an especially tense moment on the third day of the second Test at...
Henry Winter | Jon Dahl Tomasson interview
‘I saw how Ancelotti dealt with Berlusconi and learnt about management’
At 18, Jon Dahl Tomasson told his parents he was quitting his maths studies in Copenhagen to follow his dream to play football in the Netherlands. “My parents said, ‘You need to be brave, look forward, make good decisions and take all the possibilities in the world. You can make mistakes, no problem, we will stand behind you,’ ” Tomasson recalls. With that backing, the...At 18, Jon Dahl Tomasson told his parents he was quitting his maths studies in Copenhagen to...At 18, Jon Dahl Tomasson told his parents he was quitting his maths studies in Copenhagen to...
Tennis
Kyrgios: People don’t see all the challenges I face
Nick Kyrgios should not be too despondent that his Canadian Open campaign came to an end in the quarter-finals last...Nick Kyrgios should not be too despondent that his Canadian Open campaign came to an end in the quarter-finals last night. A few days of rest should do him no harm during the busiest summer of his career. The Australian ran out of steam both physically and mentally towards the end of his 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (5-7), 6-1...Nick Kyrgios should not be too despondent that his Canadian Open campaign came to an end in the quarter-finals last night. A...
Sport Notebook | Martyn Ziegler
Unbelievable Chappers: Sky lines up Stelling’s successor
Boxing
‘Putin is targeting Ukraine sport, killing us. We must raise our flag’
As their car navigated its way through the rubble, the silence that filled the air was no less deafening than the explosions that preceded their arrival. Denys Berinchyk, an Olympic silver medal-winner, had spent weeks delivering aid and evacuating civilians from towns and villages ravaged by Russian forces. He had ducked behind the dashboard under machinegun fire...As their car navigated its way through the rubble, the silence that filled the air was no less...As their car navigated its way through the rubble, the silence that filled the air was no less...
Tennis
Djokovic given US Open hope as Covid guidance for unvaccinated is relaxed
Novak Djokovic has been given a late glimmer of hope that he can participate in the US Open after American health...Novak Djokovic has been given a late glimmer of hope that he can participate in the US Open after American health authorities suddenly relaxed Covid-19 protocols. The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a series of new guidelines on Thursday, one of which states that “unvaccinated people...Novak Djokovic has been given a late glimmer of hope that he can participate in the US Open after American health authorities...
Football
Chaos not a problem for Arteta – but being late is
Mikel Arteta says he is happy for Arsenal players to live a life of “organised chaos” — so long as they return to...Mikel Arteta says he is happy for Arsenal players to live a life of “organised chaos” — so long...Mikel Arteta says he is happy for Arsenal players to live a life of “organised chaos” — so long...
Football
Leicester willing to keep Tielemans and lose him on a free
Leicester City are prepared to lose Youri Tielemans on a free transfer next summer if a suitable offer does not come...Leicester City are prepared to lose Youri Tielemans on a free transfer next summer if a suitable...Leicester City are prepared to lose Youri Tielemans on a free transfer next summer if a suitable...
triathlon
Stanford signs off in style with European gold
Non Stanford marked her last race for Great Britain by winning triathlon gold at the European Championships in Munich. Buoyed by her brilliant leg to claim silver for Wales in the mixed relay at the Commonwealth Games, the 2013 world champion showed her class once again in the individual event. The 33-year-old was in the front pack throughout the swim and bike legs...Non Stanford marked her last race for Great Britain by winning triathlon gold at the European...Non Stanford marked her last race for Great Britain by winning triathlon gold at the European...
rugby league
Resurgent Salford stir memories of Quality Street Gang
It is a familiar story that could apply to any number of sports: a longstanding club, not regarded among the big...It is a familiar story that could apply to any number of sports: a longstanding club, not regarded among the big draws, with a golden age receding into the past, but recreating some of that former glory that has diehards quivering at the knees. In this case, the sport is rugby league; the club Salford Red Devils.It is a familiar story that could apply to any number of sports: a longstanding club, not regarded among the big draws, with a...
Football
Comment
It’s time to decide which services are ‘essential’
Matthew Parris
Politicians’ promises of growth are illusory: they will soon have to make hard choices about what’s worth paying for
JANICE TURNER
Now the young are priced out of marriage
AN WILSON
Our weird ‘unis’ are increasingly pointless
Charlie Gowans-Eglinton
Can’t get no satisfaction? Just stop trying
MATT CHORLEY
Who needs a leader of the opposition when there’s Rishi, Gordon and Nicola?
WEEKEND ESSAY | LIBBY PURVES
Andrew and Harry may be less of a problem than Charles
Jim Dixon | nature notebook
Work hard to restore wetlands, for peat’s sake
CAROL MIDGLEY | NOTEBOOK
Sorry, old person but bars are for the young
There are some things I believe you should never do once you pass 50. Drink shots. Ride a rollercoaster. Wear sweary...There are some things I believe you should never do once you pass 50. Drink shots. Ride a...There are some things I believe you should never do once you pass 50. Drink shots. Ride a...
ROSE WILD | FEEDBACK
We’re dashed if we’re going to ban this pause
Down with dashes, says Sue Appleby from Welland, Worcs. “If only the use of the mid-sentence dash was outlawed we...Down with dashes, says Sue Appleby from Welland, Worcs. “If only the use of the mid-sentence dash...Down with dashes, says Sue Appleby from Welland, Worcs. “If only the use of the mid-sentence dash...
Leading Articles
Shameful Anniversary
One year on from the fall of Kabul, the Afghan economy has collapsed, rights are being denied and the country is once again a haven for extremists
Utility Futility
Nationalising infrastructure companies would be of no benefit to consumers
Songs from the Steel City
There are many reasons why Eurovision 2023 should be Made in Sheffield
Letters to the Editor
Tackling crime and the dire state of policing
Sir, It was good to see your leading article calling for a Royal Commission into the police service (Aug 12). It is 60 years since the last one was set up — before panda cars, before individual police radios and before terrorism and...Sir, It was good to see your leading article calling for a Royal Commission into the police...Sir, It was good to see your leading article calling for a Royal Commission into the police...
Daily Universal Register
Briefing
Today
UK: Rail workers’ strike.
Iceland: Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon annual fireworks show.
Switzerland: Zurich street parade, Europe’s biggest street party.
World: International left-handers day.
Tomorrow
UK: Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League (4.30pm kick-off).
On this day
Today
In 1814 the Cape of Good Hope was ceded to Britain by the Dutch; in 1860 Phoebe Ann Moses (US sharpshooter Annie Oakley) was born. In 1884 she was dubbed “Little Sure Shot” by Sitting Bull, in 1885 she joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, and in 1887 she toured England. She died in 1926; in 1876 Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen was first performed in its entirety in Bayreuth, beginning on this day; in 1889 a patent for the first coin-operated payphone was granted to William Gray, with the first device installed in Hartford, Connecticut. His invention was inspired after he was refused access to a phone to call a doctor to attend to his ailing wife.
Tomorrow
In 1936 Rainey Bethea, a convicted rapist and murderer, became the last person to be publicly executed in the US, watched by 20,000 people. The usual courthouse yard location had been planted with shrubs and flowers. Media coverage was not helped by the hangman being drunk; in 1945 it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending the Second World War. The formal surrender took place on September 2, 1945; in 1948 the summer Olympic Games ended in London. They are known as the Austerity Games. Germany and Japan were not invited to take part, and the Soviet Union did not attend.
Nature notes
The tall grass swayed; a fox appeared. Seeing the human, it immediately galloped off into the woods. A moment later a second fox peeped from the same grass and similarly vanished into the trees, white-tipped tail waving behind it. A third was bolder. Red fur shining in the sun, it stared at the human before trotting after the others, pausing to eat a blackberry from the bushes by the woods. Urban foxes are quite common, but each sighting of a rural Reynard is precious: rural populations are thought to have fallen dramatically in the past 25 years. Foxes operate in family groups and these three were a father and two adolescent cubs.
Jonathan Tulloch
Birthdays this weekend
Today
Martyn Brabbins, music director, English National Opera, 63; Domenico Dolce, fashion designer, Dolce & Gabbana, 64; Kristalina Georgieva, managing director, International Monetary Fund, 69; Paul Greengrass, film director, the Jason Bourne series, 67; Marie Helvin, model, 70; Peter Herweck, chief executive, Aveva, 56; Madhur Jaffrey, actress and cookery writer, Curry Nation (2012), 89; Susan Jameson, actress, New Tricks (2003-13), 81; Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, 48; Sir Thomas Legg, permanent secretary, lord chancellor’s department (1989-98), 87; James Morrison, singer-songwriter, You Give Me Something (2006), 38; Christopher Nourse, arts administrator, executive director, Frederick Ashton Foundation, 76; Sir David Payne, director, Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, 78; Simon Peckham, chief executive, Melrose, 60; Baroness (Nemat) Shafik, director, London School of Economics, 60; Feargal Sharkey, singer, the Undertones (1975-83), 64; Lt-Gen Sir Philip Trousdell, general officer commanding, Northern Ireland (2003-05), 74; Manuel Valls, prime minister of France (2014-16), 60; Janet Yellen, US secretary of the Treasury, chairwoman, US Federal Reserve (2014-18), 76.
Tomorrow
Prince Khalid bin Bandar al-Saud, ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UK, 45; Emmanuelle Béart, actress, Manon des Sources (1986), 59; Halle Berry, actress, Catwoman (2004), 56; Sarah Brightman, singer, Dreamchaser (2013), 62; Darren Clarke, golfer, winner of the Open (2011), 54; David Crosby, singer, Crosby, Stills & Nash, 81; Dermot Desmond, businessman and financier, 72; Philip Dunne, Conservative MP for Ludlow, health minister (2016-18), 64; Earvin “Magic” Johnson, basketball player, 63; Mila Kunis, actress, Black Swan (2010), 39; Steve Martin, actor, Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), 77; Jill Morris, UK ambassador to Italy (2016-2022), 55; Thomas Pakenham, Earl of Longford, author and historian, The Scramble for Africa (1991), 89; Jonathan Powell, diplomat, chief of staff to Tony Blair (1995-2007), and writer, Talking to Terrorists (2014), 66; Frederic Raphael, writer, The Trouble with England (1962), 91; Ruth Spellman, chief executive, Workers’ Educational Association (2012-19), 71; Danielle Steel, novelist, Five Days in Paris (1995), 75; Carlos Tavares, chief executive and executive director, Stellantis (formed from the 2021 merger of car makers Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), 64; Lady (Caroline) Waldegrave of North Hill, founding principal, Leith’s School of Food and Wine (1977-2008), 70; Wim Wenders, film director, Wings of Desire (1987), 77.