How Happy Are People In The UK Compared To The Rest Of The World?

Posted on 20/03/2023 by Boris Clair

The UK has officially dropped two places in the annual World Happiness Report compared to last year.

That means we only just make it into the world’s top 20 happiest countries, according to an annual league table of the almost 137 nations sponsored by the UN.

The scientists who analyse the data found that Finland came out on top for the sixth year in a row while Afghanistan is the most unhappy country in the league table.

Here are the top 20 happiest countries in the world, in order:

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Israel
5. Netherlands
6. Sweden
7. Norway
8. Switzerland
9. Luxembourg
10. New Zealand
11. Austria
12. Australia
13. Canada
14. Ireland
15. US
16. Germany
17. Belgium
18. Czechia
19. UK
20. Lithuania

The UK was in 17th last year, while the US has climbed up the ranks this year from 16th to 15th.

France, on the other hand, dropped out of the top 20, placing 21st while Lithuania took its place.

Ukraine actually ranked 92nd, rather than 98th as it did in 2022 – analysts believe this increase is due to a shared purpose among the population within the war-torn nation.

The report, which has been released annually for 11 years, is based on 100,000 people’s own assessments of their happiness combined with economic and social data.

For this year’s summary, data from social media was used to assess people’s feeling before and after Covid.

Each country is given a happiness score between one to 10 on an average of data over a three-year period – so this year’s looked back to 2020.

There actually wasn’t much of a gap between different scores within those in the top 20 with No.1 Finland scoring 7.804 out of 10, and No.20 Lithuania scoring 6.763.

The report, produced by the UN-backed Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University in New York, also found most countries remained pretty stable over the last three years in the ranks.

Surprisingly, the Covid pandemic did not make us all unhappier, with people around the world remaining “remarkably resilient” – in fact, there’s been a higher level of acts of kindness reported by individuals since the pandemic.

Fear Not, 500 Portable Toilets Are Along The Route To The Queen’s Lying In State

Posted on 14/09/2022 by Boris Clair

Britain is doing little to defy the stereotype that people enjoy nothing more than joining a queue as the wait to pay final respects to the Queen grows.

Officials have laid on around 10 miles of “queuing infrastructure” to allow as much of the public as possible to visit the Her Majesty’s lying in state.

Doors at Westminster Hall – where the Queen’s coffin is on public displayed – opened at 5pm on Wednesday. The historic building on the parliamentary estate will remain open for 24-hours a day until 6.30am on September 19, the morning of the late monarch’s funeral.

Reports suggest that people have already been queuing for 15 hours, with some expectations that waits could reach 30 hours. It prompts questions about what happens if nature calls – but planners have mercifully thought ahead.

Those on the route – 6.9 miles from Victoria Tower Gardens to Southwark Park, with a further three miles within the park itself – will have access to more than 500 portable toilets.

For those worried there’ll be nowhere to go while queueing, the govt has secured 500 portable toilets for use along the route 🚽🚽🚽

— Jason Groves (@JasonGroves1) September 14, 2022

Those joining the line will be given numbered wristbands so they take toilet breaks without losing their place.

With up to 400,000 people expected to queue, more than 1,000 volunteers, stewards, marshals and police officers will be on hand at any one time as people brave the wait on the banks of the Thames.

This includes 779 professional stewards per shift, assisted by 100 civil service volunteer marshals, 40 adult scouts, and 30 members of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry charity, as well as Metropolitan Police officers.

So how long is the queue right now?

Well, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is running a live “queue tracker” to pinpoint the end of the line.

At 4pm, the tracker showed the queue was around 2.2 miles long, stretching past Blackfriars Bridge in Southwark near Tate Modern.

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To help avoid disappointment, it is understood that entry to the back of the queue may be closed early, although it is too early to estimate when that moment might come.

Numbers will be monitored towards the end of the lying in state period, to ensure as near as possible that those already waiting are able complete their visit.

There will be a separate accessible route running from the Tate Britain for people less able to wait for a long period of time, with timed entry slots issued for a line along Millbank to the Palace of Westminster.

Queen’s lying in state: route of queue.

PA Graphics via PA Graphics/Press Association Images

No proof of disability will be required to use this route, with marshals on hand to make sure people are in the correct line and two British Sign Language interpreters to help.

It is understood there will be an element of self-policing when it comes to people keeping their places in line.

Those waiting in the queue are being given a coloured and numbered wristband, specific to each person, allowing them to leave for a brief time.

It is thought people will know those around them and be supportive when others need to step out.

King Charles Frustrated After Another Pen Mishap

Posted on 13/09/2022 by Boris Clair

King Charles was visibly frustrated during a signing ceremony in Northern Ireland as the new monarch had his second mishap in recent days involving a pen.

The King was visiting Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland’s only royal residence, where he was filmed signing the estate’s visitors’ book as part of a tour of the UK following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.

But his pen leaked, much to the new King Charles’s annoyance.

“I can’t bear this bloody thing!”: King Charles’ signing ceremony at Northern Ireland’s Hillsborough Castle made one thing clear – even royalty can’t escape the frustration of an inadequate pen. pic.twitter.com/nzygNTLslX

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 13, 2022

Turning to his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, he says: “Oh God, I hate this (pen).”

Camilla quickly pointed out the pen’s ink had leaked over the book, saying: “Oh look, it’s going everywhere.”

Wiping his fingers, King Charles continued: “I can’t bear this bloody thing. What they do, every stinking time.”

The King is known to carry his own fountain pen for when he is frequently called on to sign visitors’ books during royal visits.

In the much-shared clip, the King also forgot the date.

“Is it September the 12th?,” he asked an aide.

When told it was the 13th, he said, “Oh god, I’ve put the wrong date down.”

Camilla then said to him rather sharply: “You signed the 12th earlier.”

On Saturday, the new monarch went viral after a clip showed him shooing staff to clear his desk while he signed his accession proclamation.

In the footage, the King fans his hand dismissively at an aide to direct the moving of an ink pot.

The King’s tetchy response comes less than a week after his mother’s death, and during a marathon series of events to marks an official period of mourning,

The emergence of the clips reflect the unprecedented access granted to the cameras under the UK’s new head of state.

Last week, the King told Liz Truss that the Queen’s death was a “moment I’ve been dreading” as the new prime minister had her first audience with the monarch at Buckingham Palace. The meeting is usually private.

Some Odd Things Are Happening As Britain Mourns The Queen

Posted on 12/09/2022 by Boris Clair

Queen Elizabeth II’s death is being marked by a period of national mourning, with the late monarch’s funeral taking place next Monday once a series of royal protocols are followed.

The protracted memorial has created a vacuum which is being filled by some curious behaviour.

Too many marmalade sandwich tributes

Mourners are being urged not to leave Paddington bears and marmalade sandwiches among the floral tributes to the Queen.

The Royal Parks said on Monday no gifts or artefacts will be accepted and that non-floral objects should not be taken.

The shrines at royal residences over the last few days have included tributes such as teddy bears, Corgi soft toys, balloons and marmalade sandwiches in a nod to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee sketch with Paddington Bear.

“The Royal Parks are suggesting that there are enough Paddingtons and marmalade sandwiches in the parks at the moment,” BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent said outside Buckingham Palace on Monday morning.

“So please feel free to bring flowers, but maybe don’t bring anymore Paddingtons or marmalade sandwiches for now.”

Mother’s funeral cancelled

Woman talking to James O’Brien – her mother’s funeral has been cancelled for next Monday. This seems like a step too far for me.

— Duchess Sam Malin and the boy cat Lucy (@SamanthaMalin) September 12, 2022

On the James O’Brien show on LBC radio, a caller told the presenter her mother’s funeral would not go ahead as it was on the same day as the Queen’s.

She said: “The funeral directors phoned us around 9 o’clock this morning and said ‘I’m sure you know why I’m ringing’. I didn’t. We’d had a few people contacting us over the weekend to say ‘had anything changed’ and we said of course not.”

The crematorium was very “matter of fact” that it would be closed next Monday, she said.

The caller added: “It feels like one of those decisions that can be made on paper very easily, but there’s no appreciation of the stress and practical problems that causes.”

Presenter films ‘quiet reflection’

GB News presenter Dan Wootton has faced a backlash after posting a video of himself laying a floral tribute at Buckingham Palace in a moment of “quiet reflection”.

Wootton wrote: “I wanted to return to Buckingham Palace today for some quiet reflection and lay my own tribute. Crowds young, old, from all ethnicities and backgrounds.

“Truly the best of British doing her justice.”

“YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT, DAN WOOTTON. I’M AT THE PALACE JUST DOING SOME QUIET REFLECTION.” pic.twitter.com/Ecwgo79Q0a

— Marchioness Carrie Not Non-Dom 🇺🇦🇪🇺💙🪁🏄🏻‍♂️ (@TheWordOfCarrie) September 11, 2022

Someone claiming to have witnessed the spectacle suggested it took four takes.

And many pointed out he has previously criticised Harry and Meghan for being photographed at a war memorial in Los Angeles, California.

Bowie NFT delayed

Brands have been mocked mercilessly for what you might charitably describe as their clumsy attempts to pay tribute.

Among the more unlikely is the delayed launch of a new non-fungible token (NFT) project celebrating David Bowie.

‘Bowie On The Blockchain’ has been halted until the mourning period is over, according to the late pop star’s official Twitter account.

‘Car free day’ postponed

Please be aware that, following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, today’s scheduled Car Free Day celebration in Hammersmith has been postponed.

As a result, King Street will now remain open to motorists.

— H&F Council (@LBHF) September 11, 2022

A London council has postponed its “car free day” to honour the Queen’s death.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has put the brakes on plans to keep King Street open to motorists, it said.

The borough announced on Twitter: “Please be aware that, following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, today’s scheduled Car Free Day celebration in Hammersmith has been postponed. As a result, King Street will now remain open to motorists.”

One Twitter user wrote: “A beautiful tribute. I’m watching the traffic jam between TK Maxx and the William Morris with a patriotic tear running down my cheek.”

Here’s Some Very Normal Reactions In Britain To The Queen’s Death

Posted on 09/09/2022 by Boris Clair

Britain has been paying its respects after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, after the monarch died at the age of 96 following 70 years on the throne.

But the reactions have came in all shapes and sizes – with some a mix of baffling, bizarre and just plain weird.

Weather forecasts scaled back

I am totally bewildered @metoffice. Why is it a mark of respect to give us the weather forecast for today, but not tomorrow? Or to put it another way, why is it disrespectful to give us tomorrow’s weather? pic.twitter.com/CNT8Gym4vo

— Jon Sopel (@jonsopel) September 9, 2022

The Met Office has said it will only be posting daily forecasts and warnings during the 10-day mourning period.

Ex-BBC journalist Jon Sopel tweeted: “I am totally bewildered.

“Why is it a mark of respect to give us the weather forecast for today, but not tomorrow?

“Or to put it another way, why is it disrespectful to give us tomorrow’s weather?”

Football postponed

I know it’s only a game and some things are much bigger but imagine all our games went ahead this weekend.

Black armbands, silences observed, national anthem, Royal band playing etc to the millions around the world watching ?

Isn’t that a better send off ?

— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) September 9, 2022

Football fixtures at all levels across the UK have been postponed.

The UK’s football authorities have decided to postpone all fixtures planned for this weekend as a mark of respect to the Queen, and there is a possibility no further Premier League matches will now be played this month.

Ex-England footballer Peter Crouch tweeted: “I know it’s only a game and some things are much bigger but imagine all our games went ahead this weekend.

“Black armbands, silences observed, national anthem, Royal band playing etc to the millions around the world watching? Isn’t that a better send off?”

A ‘Queen-shaped cloud’ appears

Believe it or not, but multiple news outlets reported on a cloud that “looks like the Queen” was spotted in Telford, Shropshire.

Leanne Bethell captured the photographs in the skies above the A4169.

She says her daughter Lacey was first to point out the glowing figure, shouting: “Oh my God” repeatedly.

No fancy dress at the cricket

It’s game on at the Oval tomorrow.

Spectators are encouraged to be in their seats at 10:30am for a celebration of HM the Queen and no fancy dress is permitted.

See you in the morning for a very special Jerusalem 🎺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/dSjcQ7EeOi

— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) September 9, 2022

England’s third and final Test against South Africa will resume this weekend at the Kia Oval,

What was supposed to be day two of the series decider was called off on Friday as a mark of respect following the death of the long-reigning monarch.

Surrey have announced fancy dress will not be permitted in the ground, a historical asset owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, across the three days.

Interest rate decision postponed

A widely expected rise in interest rates has been put on hold due to the death of the Queen, the Bank of England has said.

The Bank said that decision makers on its Monetary Policy Committee would not meet as scheduled next week.

Instead the meeting, at which committee members were expected to hike rates again, will take place the following week, the Bank said.

Corporate Britain was quick to get out its tributes, with purveyours of pasties, indoor cycling workouts and baked beans offering tributes.

Crazy Frog, the British Kebab Awards and the musical Hamilton joined the chorus, as did Ann Summer – which also unintentional promoted some of its sex toys.

The unfortunate gaffe garnered much attention on Twitter with the post, tweeted out by Summer Ray, a voiceover artist and writer, achieved over 2,000 likes and many comments.

Perhaps The Queen should posthumously be awarded an Oscar – Best Supporting Actor perhaps? – for her great Paddington Bear performance, or at least a Bafta?

— Michael Crick (@MichaelLCrick) September 9, 2022

A journalist has suggested that the monarch should receive an acting award, after the late Queen briefly appeared in a comic sketch with the animated character Paddington Bear back in June, for her Platinum Jubilee.

Their funny exchange over a cup of tea showed Paddington being characteristically ill-mannered at the table, and the Queen revealing she shares the bear’s love of marmalade sandwiches.

The two also tap out the beat of Queen’s We Will Rock You anthem during their exchange. The clip took half a day to film, and was celebrated at the time for showing the monarch’s jovial nature.

Michael Crick tweeted on Friday that the Queen should receive a posthumous Oscar – “Best supporting actor, perhaps?” – for that brief sketch. He added: “Or at least a Bafta.”

Prominent Eurosceptic and former leader of UKIP Nigel Farage shared a short clip on Twitter on Thursday night, showing him putting flowers down outside Buckingham Palace at night.

Curiously, Farage does not look at the camera but nods with deference at the Palace gates, before walking back through the crowd with his umbrella.

It’s not clear who filmed the video or how the GB News host secured the clip to share on his own account – along with the caption “paying respects” – especially considering he does not interact with the person filming at all. Twitter was quick to add its own captions.

King Charles Pays Emotional Tribute To ‘Darling Mama’ And Pledges To Follow Her ‘Lifelong Service’

Posted on 09/09/2022 by Boris Clair

The King has given a moving tribute to his “darling Mama” the Queen in his first public broadcast as monarch, as he promised to continue her “lifelong service” to the country.

Ending his address, the new monarch said: “To my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.

“Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May ‘flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest’.”

The King pledged his whole life as service as the new sovereign just as the Queen did, saying: “That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today”.

King Charles III delivers his address to the nation and the Commonwealth from Buckingham Palace, London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

He also used his speech to announce that he had bestowed his son William the title of Prince of Wales, with Kate becoming Princess of Wales.

And he paid tribute to his “darling wife” Camilla – calling her “my Queen Consort”, saying he can “count on her loving help”.

The King also set out his changing role, as he steps away from his considerable charity work which shaped his life as the heir to the throne.

“My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others,” he said.

The monarch pre-recorded the lengthy speech, which was just under 1,000 words and lasted around nine-and-a-half minutes in the Blue Drawing Room of the royal residence in central London, and it was played out at 6pm on Friday.

Charles said of his “beloved mother” the late Elizabeth II: “We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example”.

People Are Taking Nadhim Zahawi’s Advice On Cutting Energy Use With A Pinch Of Salt

Posted on 26/08/2022 by Boris Clair

Nadhim Zahawi urging households to look at how they are using energy has left some people speechless – probably because he used taxpayers’ cash to heat his horse stables.

On Friday, the chancellor said everyone should “look at our energy consumption” as it was confirmed bills are set to soar by 80%.

In 2013, the Sunday Mirror revealed he claimed for electricity at the stables, as part of a wider bill, other parts of which were allowed under the rules.

At the time, Zahawi promised to repay part of a £5,822.27 expenses claim for his energy bills after it emerged taxpayers were paying for the electricity supply to his stables.

He has said it was a “deeply embarrassing” but “genuine mistake” to claim the expenses for heating stables for his horses.

Given his history, some were taking his guidance with a pinch of salt after it was after it was announced the average energy price cap will soar to a devastating £3,549 in October.

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi on energy consumption:
“The reality is that we should all look at our energy consumption. It is a difficult time.”

To clarify, it’s the same @nadhimzahawi who claimed of £5,822 to heat his stables (which he was forced to pay back after it was revealed)

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) August 26, 2022

I, for one, will be turning down the heating in my stables this winter. Even though I have in the past put that particular bill on my parliamentary expenses.”” https://t.co/ogdHp6UFXl

— James Oh Brien (@mrjamesob) August 26, 2022

If the poor get very cold this winter, @nadhimzahawi, might you permit them entry to your stables?

— Jo Maugham (@JolyonMaugham) August 26, 2022

Nadhim Zahawi, a man who stole from taxpayers to heat his stables, is telling people to cut back on their energy usage.

How can this stand?

— Elinor Elliot (@ElliotElinor) August 26, 2022

Conservative Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has told people across the UK to consume less energy.

Zahawi previously claimed expenses from the public for the energy to heat his horse stables:https://t.co/TKbYEl8K9k

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) August 26, 2022

Nadhim Zahawi has rightly told people to look carefully at their energy consumption. Personally I’m going to turn the central heating in my stables down one or two degrees this winter.

— David__Osland (@David__Osland) August 26, 2022

One of the wealthiest members of parliament, Zahawi founded the polling firm YouGov.

In July, he told Sky News’ Kay Burley the claim was a “genuine mistake” as he did not realise his stable heating and personal heating was coming in on a single bill.

“It was a complete error, a mistake, and of course I apologised and repaid,” he said.

Asked if he was embarrassed, Zahawi said: “Of course. Deeply embarrassing. But it was a genuine mistake. It’s much better to admit and demonstrate than to do anything else.”

Brutal Hospital Heckle Gives Health Secretary Steve Barclay A Taste Of Public Anger

Posted on 25/08/2022 by Boris Clair

Health secretary Steve Barclay has been confronted with public fury over the crumbling NHS – as an angry member of the public heckled the minister upset about ambulance delays.

The cabinet minister was speaking to media outside Moorfields Eye Hospital in Old Street, central London, when a woman suggested the Tory government has done “bugger all” during 12 years in power.

During his interviews, a woman passing by approached Barclay and asked him: “Are you going to do anything about the ambulances waiting, and the people dying out?”

Barclay replied: “Of course we are,” but the woman continued: “Don’t you think 12 years is long enough?

“Twelve years – you’ve done bugger all about it.

“People have died, and all you’ve done is nothing.”

The incident drew comparisons to an infamous scene from BBC comedy The Thick Of It, when fictional minister Hugh Abbot is confronted by an angry worker who asks: “Do you know what it’s like to clean up your own mother’s piss?”

Last week, many were shocked after an 87-year-old man had to wait 15 hours for an ambulance in a makeshift shelter made out of a garden football goal.

A recent report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) showed that patients were facing “frequent and prolonged” waits for ambulances.

The report exposed several cases, such as that of an elderly patient who died after waiting 14 hours for assistance from South Central Ambulance Service.

On Thursday, Barclay was given a tour of an operating theatre by surgeons at Moorfields Eye Hospital, before speaking to press on the street outside.

Following the heated interaction, Barclay said that reducing ambulance waiting times is an “absolute priority” for the government.

He told the PA news agency: “There’s a range of measures that we’re taking.

“We’re looking at conveyance rates in ambulances, we’re looking at how we address variation in performance, we’re looking at funding – an extra £150 million to the ambulance service, a further £50 million into call centres, for 111 and 999, in terms of call handling, a further £30 million into St John Ambulance around the auxiliary ambulance performance.

“We’re also then looking at what happens with the ambulance handovers, so emergency departments, how we triage those, how we look at the allocation of this within the system.

“Of course, that is all connected to delayed discharge and people being ready to leave hospital who are not doing so, and that’s about the integration of care between social care and hospitals.

“So there’s a range of issues within how we deliver on ambulances, but it’s an absolute priority both for the Government and for NHS England.”

Salman Rushdie Attacked Onstage At Event In Upstate New York

Posted on 12/08/2022 by Boris Clair

Salman Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats in the 1980s, has suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and has been airlifted to hospital after he was attacked on stage as he was about to give a lecture in western New York, police have said.

The Indian-British author, 75, was attacked on Friday onstage at the Chautauqua Institution. Rushdie’s condition is not known.

Witnesses reported Rushdie falling to the floor when the man attacked him, and was then surrounded by a small group of people who held up his legs, seemingly to send more blood to his upper body, as the attacker was restrained.

Rabbi Charles Savenor was among the hundreds of people in the audience. Amid gasps, spectators were ushered outside.

“This guy ran on to platform and started pounding on Mr Rushdie. At first you’re like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then it became abundantly clear in a few seconds that he was being beaten,” Savenor said. He said the attack lasted about 20 seconds.

The New York state police department has issued a statement confirming a male suspect ran onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer.

The statement said: “State police are investigating an attack on author Salman Rushdie prior to a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY.

“On August 12, 2022, at about 11am, a male suspect ran up onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer.

“Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck, and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital.

“His condition is not yet known.

“The interviewer suffered a minor head injury. A state trooper assigned to the event immediately took the suspect into custody.

“The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.”

Rushdie’s book The Satanic Verses has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it to be blasphemous. A year later, Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and issued a fatwa, calling for Rushdie’s execution.

A bounty of over $3 million has also been offered for anyone who kills Rushdie.

Iran’s government has long since distanced itself from Khomeini’s decree, but anti-Rushdie sentiment has lingered. In 2012, a semi-official Iranian religious foundation raised the bounty for Rushdie from $2.8 million to $3.3 million.

Rushdie dismissed that threat at the time, saying there was “no evidence” of people being interested in the reward.

That year, Rushdie published a memoir, Joseph Anton, about the fatwa. The title came from the pseudonym Rushdie had used while in hiding.

Rushdie rose to prominence with his Booker Prize-winning 1981 novel Midnight’s Children, but his name became known around the world after The Satanic Verses.

The Chautauqua Institution, about 55 miles southwest of Buffalo in a rural corner of New York, is known for its summertime lecture series. Rushdie has spoken there before.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost UK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Salman Rushdie On A Ventilator And Could Lose An Eye After New York Attack

Posted on 12/08/2022 by Boris Clair

Salman Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats in the 1980s, was stabbed in the neck and abdomen by a man who rushed the stage as the author was about to give a lecture in western New York.

He is on a ventilator and may lose an eye, according to the New York Times, and sustained nerve damage to his arm and damage to his liver.

The Indian-British author, 75, was attacked on Friday onstage at the Chautauqua Institution.

Police identified the attacker as Hadi Matar, 24, of Fairview, New Jersey. He has been taken into custody.

According to the NYT, Rushdie’s agent Andrew Wylie said he is on a ventilator and unable to speak.

Wylie added the news was “not good” and the author will “likely lose one eye”.

He said the nerves in Rushdie’s arm were severed in the attack and his liver was “stabbed and damaged”.

Rabbi Charles Savenor was among the hundreds of people in the audience. Amid gasps, spectators were ushered outside.

Major Eugene Staniszweski of New York State Police said late on Friday: “Earlier today at approximately 10.47am, guest speaker Salman Rushdie, aged 75, and Ralph Henry Reese, age 73, had just arrived on stage at the institution.

“Shortly thereafter, the suspect jumped on to the stage and attacked Mr Rushdie, stabbing him at least once in the neck and at least once in the abdomen.

“Several members of the staff at the institution and audience members rushed the suspect and took him to the ground, and shortly thereafter, a trooper who was at the institution took the suspect into custody with the assistance of a Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputy.

“Mr Rushdie was provided medical treatment by a doctor who was in the audience until EMS arrived on scene.

“Mr Rushdie was airlifted to a local trauma centre and is still currently undergoing surgery.”

Salman Rushdie holds up a copy of his book The Satanic Verses at Freedom Forum in Arlington, Virginia in March 1992.

via Associated Press