author salman rushdie is attacked on stage at an event in new york state. police say he suffered a wound to the neck and has been flown to a hospital near the town of chautauqua — we hear from someone who saw what happened the announcement comes as part of the southwest southern and eastern and central england after the prolonged period of dry weather. this is an exceptional summer and we can all think about how we use our water and think about where it comes from. when you turn on the tap, have a shower, that water is coming from the environment from rivers like here. us justice officials are poised to make public details of the search warrant used to raid

donald trump's florida home, a move which could reveal what investigators were looking for. and the shortlist is been out for which city will host next zero vision contest. and the shortlist is been out for which city will host next euro will debate donald trump and the legal action and what is happening in the economy in the uk. to stay with us in half an hour on bbc news. we begin in new york this

police in new york state say the author salman rushdie has suffered a stab wound to the neck in an attack while preparing to give a lecture. he was flown to hospital by helicopter and his condition is not yet known. police said a man had been taken into custody. mr rushdie received death threats after writing his book, the satanic verses in 1988 and went into hiding for nearly a decade. our culture editor katie razzall reports salman rushdie was flown by air ambulance after the attack in new york state. the prize—winning author and the target of death threats was about to give a lecture when a man assaulted him on the stage. local police said he suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck. of reports suggest multiple wounds. we stab wound to the neck. of reports suggest multiple wounds.- suggest multiple wounds. we saw someone run _ suggest multiple wounds. we saw someone run onto _ suggest multiple wounds. we saw someone run onto the _ suggest multiple wounds. we saw someone run onto the stage - suggest multiple wounds. we saw someone run onto the stage from | someone run onto the stage from where i was sitting in the regulars to my left stage right, perhaps from

behind and repeatedly stepped salman rushdie and it a horrific thing to witness. , , . ., ., witness. this is an individual who will s - end witness. this is an individual who will spend decades _ witness. this is an individual who will spend decades speaking - witness. this is an individual who | will spend decades speaking truth witness. this is an individual who i will spend decades speaking truth to power— will spend decades speaking truth to power and _ will spend decades speaking truth to power and somebody's been out there unafraid _ power and somebody's been out there unafraid despite the threats, despite — unafraid despite the threats, despite its haunted and his entire adult _ despite its haunted and his entire adult life — despite its haunted and his entire adult life. the despite its haunted and his entire adult life. , , ., ., adult life. the spiritual leader issued a death _ adult life. the spiritual leader issued a death threat - adult life. the spiritual leader issued a death threat against| adult life. the spiritual leader i issued a death threat against the novelists in 1989 after the publication of his fourth novel, the satanic verses. mass protests from muslims across the world in a book inspired by the prophet, since going into hiding for ten years, burning an effigy from the streets of is on the bottom london. after the iranian government distanced itself from it. a stark reminder that the threat of violence never went away.

henry rees is —— salman rushdie is currently in surgery and in the limited amount that we know about this attack given that we know about this attack given that the attack took place after four o'clock, ii that the attack took place after four o'clock, 11 o'clock eastern time in new york stated western new york state. talk us through, if you could but we know about the events of the last few hours?— of the last few hours? salman rushdie was _ of the last few hours? salman rushdie was in _ of the last few hours? salman rushdie was in upstate - of the last few hours? salman rushdie was in upstate new i of the last few hours? salman i rushdie was in upstate new york of the last few hours? salman - rushdie was in upstate new york near buffalo at the university, an educational institution called chautauqua. it is about to get on stage for a session when it's understood that a man rushed onto the stage and started to attack him. he believe he was stabbed in the

neck received a wound. members of the audience came up to the stage to try and help and police were able to essentially apprehend the suspect was taken into custody. at some point, salman rushdie is taken by helicopter to pennsylvania where we understand he is in hospital and as you mentioned, we decided update on his condition. and it has taken many in this community by surprise because this was a sleepy town. it's lecture series draws a huge cloud thatis lecture series draws a huge cloud that is one eyewitness was saying earlier, it's the kind of place we could leave your bike unlocked, your car is unlocked and the community has been shaken to what is happened but beyond that, given his prominence, literary world has been shocked by this.—

shocked by this. receiving death threats for many _ shocked by this. receiving death threats for many decades, - shocked by this. receiving death threats for many decades, at - shocked by this. receiving death | threats for many decades, at one point, he had to live out of the public eye. but as they're telling about half an hour ago, he's made efforts to, kind of, lead a more normal life and with that, has become with a certain amount of prominence, he is seeing more events in new york and literary events and parties, he is a fixture of the new york scene. he parties, he is a fixture of the new york scene-— parties, he is a fixture of the new york scene. , . , ., york scene. he is and bear in mind, he has a new— york scene. he is and bear in mind, he has a new book _ york scene. he is and bear in mind, he has a new book coming - york scene. he is and bear in mind, he has a new book coming out, - york scene. he is and bear in mind, he has a new book coming out, and | he has a new book coming out, and the publicity that comes with that which would increase prominence, your profile at this particular moment. he wrote about it in detailing that time immediately after it was issued back in 1989, describing the moment where he left his home to go to an interview. the team i returned and if few hours' time but he never did. in detailing

those early first few weeks and months when she was under the protection of british security officers and as you rightly point out, that lasted a few years and tried to resume some normal life, but the problem when you have this death sentence that is issued, it does have a time limit on. it doesn't run out and there is speculation of what the motivation behind the attacker was. and they're wondering whether or not it was related to that death threat being transferred out _ related to that death threat being transferred out of _ related to that death threat being transferred out of state _ related to that death threat being transferred out of state to - transferred out of state to pennsylvania now, presumably, will hope to get updates whether from the authorities there of the state of authorities there of the state of authorities of new york what is happening. in terms of what is

happening, will be a matterfor new york. happening, will be a matter for new york. , ., ,, , york. the person was apprehended is in their custody _ york. the person was apprehended is in their custody and _ york. the person was apprehended is in their custody and will _ york. the person was apprehended is in their custody and will be _ in their custody and will be interesting to see what they learned and we don't know the prisons name yet, we do not know the motive yet there is a lot more to discover and authorities have not given any details about the medical condition and we've got an update from his publisher and he is being treated in pennsylvania. we are expecting some political events taking place this evening in pennsylvania and not far from the hospital, whether or not the politicians that will provide some updates there is unclear but thatis some updates there is unclear but that is something that we will be following. ilrrufiilii that is something that we will be followinu. ~ ., ,, ., ., ., following. will talk to you again durin: the following. will talk to you again during the course _ following. will talk to you again during the course of— following. will talk to you again during the course of this - following. will talk to you again l during the course of this evening. for the reaction to the attack. the counsellor of great britain has condemned the attack against salman rushdie saying that such violence is wrong and the perpetrator must be brought to justice. let's talk now

to the film—maker who made a documentary that examined the effects of salman rushdie's novel. thank you very much for talking to us. but you make of today's events. this is a man who has been in the public eye for a long time that's been a target but perhaps from recent years, people tend to think that threat had faded a little. i think that's very true. i remember meeting her to perhaps four years ago at a book signing and i thought in many ways that the threat that it lingered for many years and as we heard in the package there, that edict and have a date to expire and even though that was considered, it felt that salman rushdie could live as a free man in my initial thought and response isjust complete

as a free man in my initial thought and response is just complete shock and response is just complete shock and condemnation for this kind of attack, it's horrible news and salman rushdie has for decades been someone that is spoken up for freedom of speech and has lived by that as well you see that and see much of his work and his unapologetic sons of what he wanted to publish. i think that's a real issue because the feeling and the strength of feeling in certain sections of the muslim world, even today, still runs very strong and as a community, there are many people who believe the community had moved on from this and we don't know all the details of it is happened today but the suggestion would be perhaps thatis but the suggestion would be perhaps that is not the case. {siege but the suggestion would be perhaps that is not the case.— that is not the case. give us some sense of where _ that is not the case. give us some sense of where that _ that is not the case. give us some sense of where that anger- that is not the case. give us some sense of where that anger came l that is not the case. give us some . sense of where that anger came from and getting us to understand and we

don't know if it's even connected with this attack. we're making assumptions we cannot make those. but to help us understand the context of wide he was living under this threat, but the strength of feeling to encounter when you are exploring this year documentary. the satanic exploring this year documentary. iie: satanic verses exploring this year documentary. i'ig; satanic verses like exploring this year documentary. trig; satanic verses like much of salman rushdie's work is a fantastical work of fiction and in this particular instance, some of the characters were loosely, in terms of their names and some of their history were linked to islamic history and there were people within the muslim community talking about this being over 30 years ago and people in the community who were offended and think it's important to see that when the iranians, when the issued the death threat, there was a

political aspect, a rallying call and they became a totem to gather support. in and they became a totem to gather su ort. , , , ., , and they became a totem to gather su--ort. , , , ., ,., support. in this is ten years after the wars in _ support. in this is ten years after the wars in tehran. _ support. in this is ten years after the wars in tehran. exactly - support. in this is ten years after the wars in tehran. exactly and l the wars in tehran. exactly and auoin the wars in tehran. exactly and going back _ the wars in tehran. exactly and going back over _ the wars in tehran. exactly and going back over 30 _ the wars in tehran. exactly and going back over 30 years - the wars in tehran. exactly and going back over 30 years here | the wars in tehran. exactly and going back over 30 years here i think that many people find it really surprising and i certainly find it surprising was when i speak in the documentary and this is, about five years ago now, i spent a lot of time in communities up across the uk and i encountered a strength of feeling which really took me by surprise and i consider myself someone who grew up with and is still very much inside the muslim community. but i met people who would be offended by me as a film—maker, carrying the book. simply touching the book. there offended by me as a muslim carrying

the book and a lot of these issues have remained unresolved and ijust think it's terrible where we find ourselves today, it really is. did ourselves today, it really is. did ou have ourselves today, it really is. did you have any — ourselves today, it really is. did you have any interaction with what you have any interaction with what you are doing?— you are doing? there were two strands of _ you are doing? there were two strands of engagement, - you are doing? there were two i strands of engagement, actually. you are doing? there were two - strands of engagement, actually. i reached out numerous times and wrote to him and i met him at a book signing and very politely told him that i was the man that been writing to him and i would love to engage with the project and i would love to share some the stuff they found out and she was a picture of charm, he really was met quite a few phone calls with his sun and so, his sun is someone that i know through a mutual contact and he told me and a completely understood and respected this, he said the reason he supported the project, the reason why he did not want to be involved

is because he did not want to start up is because he did not want to start up board fires and she wanted to leave it very much in the past. after a member that salman rushdie is someone, he is a literary titan and so, he has released a book after and so, he has released a book after a claim book after the seatac verses. —— satanic verses. i got the distinct impression notjust from salman rushdie but also his son that this was something that he did not want to engage with and stoke of that conversation once again and i got the impression that he was trying to get on with his life and for that reason, as well as many others, the news today is so heartbreaking.— others, the news today is so heartbreaking. what makes it so difficult is it's _ heartbreaking. what makes it so difficult is it's hard _ heartbreaking. what makes it so difficult is it's hard to _ heartbreaking. what makes it so difficult is it's hard to see - difficult is it's hard to see resolution to this. whatever happens to salman rushdie, i mean, he's in the 70s, he lives in another 20

years, the book will still be out there and it will not disappear if still be available which minces no real resolution to the anger and frustration and resentment of those were offended by it. it’s frustration and resentment of those were offended by it.— were offended by it. it's also important — were offended by it. it's also important to _ were offended by it. it's also important to say _ were offended by it. it's also important to say that - were offended by it. it's also important to say that the - were offended by it. it's alsol important to say that the vast majority of people within the muslim communities certainly in a british european american context, the vast majority of those people, i think in this is unscientific, distance from the work i did at the documentary, have moved on internet different place it would've absolutely condemned this violence. that does not change the fact and the resulting fact issued by the ayatollah was the flash point, it really did become of flashpoint to so many other issues it within the community, there are still people, a

generation on that are holding on to these grievances and of course, i think it is very important to say, we can't engage with that in a meaningful way apart from telling people that this is entirely wrong in condemning violence. we have to be united in that within the muslim community and outside the muslim community, we have to be resolute and that in more than anything, i am hoping that mr salman rushdie makes a swift recovery. i really do. exploring the effects. thank you so much for talking to us this evening and i'm sure your good wishes for salman rushdie's recovery are shared much tonight. i will bring you a quote from the british prime minister borisjohnson who said he is appalled by the attack and while exercising a right, we should never cease to defend the rights of free expression. prime minister boris

johnson in the last few minutes. let's talk and it's a reminder of how, and we don't know the cause of this attack, it could be completely unrelated to the previous criticisms of his work from within the muslim community but it is at least a reminder of the issue on how it has come in many ways, shaped his life for many decades now. is no question that it did, those associated _ decades now. is no question that it did, those associated with - decades now. is no question that it did, those associated with the - decades now. is no question that it| did, those associated with the book as well. he may have invaded physical harm until this point, others did not. in norwegian publisher of the book was shot and seriously injured. the japanese translator in the early 90s was stabbed to death. there were others who were affected by this in huge shadow on salman rushdie's life and he went diving for many years. he said that while he thought the book might elicit some offence from some,

he understood that he had not expected at all to elicit the kind of widespread outrage that he did because it was very soon after the book was published in the country of his birth that there were huge protests in india and it was banned and it spread to other countries, even the non—muslim countries banning the book as well and then it was raised to a different level by the ayatollah. he was raised to a different level by the ayatollah-— was raised to a different level by the ayatollah. he was a child born in a matter— the ayatollah. he was a child born in a matter of— the ayatollah. he was a child born in a matter of months _ the ayatollah. he was a child born in a matter of months before - the ayatollah. he was a child born l in a matter of months before british india was partitioned at the point of independence between what became india and pakistan and that whole religious division there was felt very much and reflected in books before in the book is most famous, the one that made him an international star.- the one that made him an international star. ,,., ., . international star. even the satanic verses itself _ international star. even the satanic verses itself deals _ international star. even the satanic verses itself deals with _ international star. even the satanic verses itself deals with the - verses itself deals with the immigrant experience it takes a step

back and looks at the outside of religion and questioned the divine nature of religious text and it was questioning where, for example, where it came from. weather was really inspired by god inspired by the man who put forward but that's one of the things and people took offence to come in the title of itself, the satanic verses refers some, most muslims do not believe, were originally supposed to be reviewed to the prophet but he withdrew them because he thought they were inspired by satan and not been revealed by the angel gabriel. that caused some offence, some aspects of the way the prophets life was portrayed in the book offended some and you are talking about whether or not the rescinding of this could have an impact, but the offences got much further than that

and those who believe they should be offended by this air those who never read the book and whether it's formerly rescinded or not because it never has been, the strength of feeling is still out there.- feeling is still out there. thank ou ve feeling is still out there. thank you very much _ feeling is still out there. thank you very much and _ feeling is still out there. thank you very much and we - feeling is still out there. thank you very much and we will - feeling is still out there. thank| you very much and we will keep feeling is still out there. thank - you very much and we will keep you up—to—date on the stories are the next few hours on bbc news at half past seven, i'll be joined next few hours on bbc news at half past seven, i'll bejoined by next few hours on bbc news at half past seven, i'll be joined by my guests on dateline london lb back with a full summary before that, will have some weather and willjoin lizzie at the sportscenter. the triathlete is _ lizzie at the sportscenter. the triathlete is one. _ lizzie at the sportscenter. the triathlete is one. one - lizzie at the sportscenter. the triathlete is one. one of- lizzie at the sportscenter. the triathlete is one. one of the i triathlete is one. one of the bi est triathlete is one. one of the biggest titles _ triathlete is one. one of the biggest titles of _ triathlete is one. one of the biggest titles of her - triathlete is one. one of the biggest titles of her career i triathlete is one. one of the | biggest titles of her career in triathlete is one. one of the i biggest titles of her career in a major race. taking gold today and the european championships in munich and she was in the leading pack in the cycling and searched into the lead in the final stages of the run.

stanford only finished fourth at the rio 0lympics but has been in good form recently — taking a silver medal in the mixed relay for wales at the commonwealth games in birmingham. it's the first gold medal for team gb at these multi sport games. exhibits real, to be honest with you. i'm trying to get to my phone and tell them that i am retiring. but it's extra incentive knowing that this is my last day there in my last ever time in this and i can't think of a better way to bow out with a gold medal in the european champs is the first time i went to great britain and the championships so it's good to come here when gold. there was also some succes for britain's track cycling team in munich. it came in the men's team pursuit where rhys britton, oliver wood, charlie tanfield and kian emadi managed to hold—off germany in the bronze medal race to get onto the podium. france beat denmark to take the gold. we been swapping around all week

just to see who would be stronger and we actually raised the other flip away yesterday and that we decided in to remember the competition and ijust decided in to remember the competition and i just think through the rounds, wejust got competition and i just think through the rounds, we just got faster and faster and with progression. the new environment, get a brand—new team it's a promising side. twas a disappointing europeans for britain's bmx 0lympic champion charlotte worthington who crashed out in the freestyle... after qualifying for the final with the best score in the heats, she crashed in both of her subsequent runs — finishing last out of the 8 riders. fellow briton — sasha pardoe was 6th. the czech republic's ivita micla—cova won the gold. the sport is sometimes just a test of confidence to see who has the confidence to go for it you may look back on it and wonder and ask all the questions, i went all in again and just didn't pay it off this time

and just didn't pay it off this time and like you say, it's sport and you have to go nonstop fear and adrenaline, it isjust have to go nonstop fear and adrenaline, it is just what you have to handle. team gb have won two mdeals over at the european aquatics championships in rome. first — katie shanahan took a silver medal in the 200m backstroke. it's her biggest achievement to date after taking two bronzes home from the commonwealth games in birmingham earlier this month. and then olympic gold medallist freya anderson also took a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle for great britain, missing out on siver byi one hundreth of a second. manchester united manager's erik ten hag says he expects marcus rashford to stay at the club this season. the england forward's representatives met with paris st—germain amid rumours he's on his way to france but ten haag believes he'll stay. he is really important and you'll see from the first time i'm in, i'm really happy within and definitely i

do not want to lose them and he will stay in manchester united. well manchester united and their ongoing issues in the transfer market is the subject of the latest edition of the football news show, thats online now on the bbc iplayer and that's where you will find it for the remainder of the season. natalie aspinall will become only the third woman to officiate in the premier league when she's the assistant referee at wolves v fulham. she's been promoted after six years in the efl. but admitted to the bbc sport, it's been a challenge to make the breakthrough. trying to get to the premier league was something i was told i could not do, i could not be involved in professional football. it's something i've worked hard to do, so i think, when i was given the opportunity and i knew i had a good season, for me, it was about controlling the controllable and making sure i presented myself in the best way in my interview and making sure

i was prepared for the fitness test and i knew that, as long as i done all of the things i needed to be the best version of myself, then the rest is up to the pgmol. 0nto cricket and london spirit's beth mooney has posted the biggest individual score in the women's hundred butjust ran out of time to register a century. the australian had to score a six off the final ball tojoin will smeed as the only players to make a hundred in the hundred, but managed just two. her 97 off 55 deliveries is still the best score yet, but it couldn't help the spirit to victory with their opponents southern brave winning by 6 wickets, freya kemp hitting a six to seal it that's all the sport for now. hello there. it's been very dry across the uk recently. some spots have seen no rain in southern england for over a0 days also the isle of wight, no rain here for 39 days. we don't have any rain in the forecast of these areas over the weekend but there will be some wet weather next week or the chance of it in the form

of heavy, thundery showers. the showers as with all showers, will be fairly hit or miss. they won't be everywhere but they will be somewhere and will also introduce some fresh or feeling conditions. the heatwave certainly condition as we have through the weekend. there is that met office weather warning in force for extreme heat until the end of the day on sunday across much of england, as far as the pennines and into eastern areas of wales. the heat is uncomfortable for many and of course dangerous for some. hasn't been hot everywhere, these weather clouds running through the northwest of scotland and overnight tonight we will see more cloud feet in from the north sea into eastern coastal areas. elsewhere lots of clear skies. a warmer night to follow and a warm start to the day tomorrow. some temperatures particularly between coastal areas, perhaps the isle of wight again may not see temperatures drop below 19 or 20 celsius. already a head start on those temperatures for tomorrow.

still some cloud towards north sea facing co—2nd lap on shore at the time but elsewhere lots of blue sky and such, more sunshine tomorrow from mainland scotland, temperatures will rise steadily across england and wales to the low to mid 30s, possibly peeking across central and southern england at 36 or maybe even 37 celsius. but it's all change on sunday. the high pressure moves away to the east, low pressure will send some rather unstable, moist, humid feeling air for the northwards, this will help to spark off some thunderstorms. if we move back to sunday we may we'll see some slender storms towards the northwest of the uk but further south is more likely to stay dry and that he still hangs on here. by the time we get into the start of next week, those thunderstorms will become more widespread across the uk, they won't be everywhere, as they do fall on dry hard ground if we do see high rainfall total they could possibly cause some flash flooding. there are local warnings in place.

hello and welcome to the programme which brings together leading uk commentators with the foreign correspondents who write, blog, podcast and broadcast from the dateline: london. this week — a meeting between borisjohnson and the energy companies about the ticking time bomb which is the capping of energy bills. the cap will rise further in october. the meeting achieved nothing. the british have a government but apparently must wait for action until the conservatives have chosen their leader, the country's next prime minister. there was another meeting which ended without result. new york's attorney general summoned

donald trump to quiz him about his tax affairs.