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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Kirsty Wark asked me to fetch her a cup of tea and a Penguin biscuit
Certainly, she can appear regal to the journalistic peasantry. I remember a packed press conference where she breenged in with her crew. Suddenly we – self-important, like everyone in our trade – all felt like minions. She asked me to fetch her a cup of tea and a Penguin biscuit ('one with a green wrapper'). Wow. What ingredients went into creating such an imperious personage? Well, being born was a useful start. This auspicious event occurred on 3 February 1955 in Dumfries. Kirsty's father, who earned a Military Cross for heroism at Normandy, was a solicitor. A convivial raconteur, he also liked spending time on his own fly-fishing. 'I'm sure he was reflecting on the horrors of war, ' Kirsty told the I newspaper recently. Her mother was a teacher who, after one early Newsnight interview, phoned to complain that she'd split an infinitive. Poor Kirsty must have been tempted to tell her mother where to boldly go. She spent her early years in Castle Douglas before moving to Kilmarnock. After attending all-girl, 'independent' Wellington School in Ayr, she studied history, specifically Scottish Studies, at Embra Yoonie. In 1976, aged 21, Wark joined the BBC as a graduate researcher and soon became a producer for Radio Scotland, displaying enthusiasm and a willingness to make things happen. Wish I'd tried that. (Image: Jamie Simpson) BOXING CLEVER WARK switched to television in 1982, producing Reporting Scotland, Agenda and Current Account. She then moved into presenting various Scottish political programmes before moving to UK network television as part of the Breakfast Time brigade. In 1988, she reported on the Lockerbie bombing and, in 1990, made her mark as an interviewer when she confronted, so to say, Margaret Thatcher. The Iron Lady was incensed with her abrasive questions about the poll tax, and complained afterwards that she'd 'interrupted me more than I've ever been interrupted'. Later, it emerged that Wark had just learned she was pregnant with her first baby, and so was determined to remain 'preternaturally calm' for both their sakes. In 1993, she joined Newsnight, BBC 2's mumphing aboot politics show, in a role that was to last three decades. She stood down last summer, a week after the General Election. In her time, she has faced accusations of being too close to Labour. Donald Dewar, former Labour First Minister and a close friend, appointed her to a panel choosing the design for the new Scottish Parliament – with hilarious consequences! Later, the independent production company she co-owned was an awarded a BBC contract to make programmes about … construction of the Scottish Parliament building. Whoopsie. In 2005, she invited another Labour First Minister and long-time friend, Jack McConnell, now Lord McConnell of Proletariat, and his family to stay at her Majorcan holiday home over New Year. Doubt was cast on Wark's neutrality and suitability to anchor political programmes, with respected quality newspaper the Daily Mail dubbing the episode 'Villagate'. Importantly, it added that she had a 'big, almost masculine voice that belies a worked-on slim figure and good legs often hidden by trousers'. Trousers, ye say? However, several observers considered the 'scandal' overblown, with Newsnight's editor pointing out that many media peeps had old pals who went on to hold office. 'The important issue is your ability to ask tough questions and that is not a problem with Kirsty Wark …' READ MORE Rab McNeil: Get your Boots on, we're going shopping for unicorn hair gel Rab McNeil: No wonder the whole Scottish nation loves Nicola (no, not that one) Scottish Icons: William McGonagall - The poet who right bad verses wrote still floats some folk's vessel or boat Scottish Icons: There is a lot of tripe talked about haggis – so here's the truth ECK OF AN ATTITUDE ALEX Salmond was a problem for Kirsty Wark. In 2007, after an interview with then First Mniister, the BBC received 120 complaints from entirely disinterested individuals, and issued a public apology regretting Wark's 'rude and dismissive' tone. In 2020, after she presented a programme about Salmond's sexual assault trial – in which he was acquitted – more than 900 complaints of bias were made. Wark responded: 'Alex Salmond was found innocent, not guilty, there is no disputing that in any way. What we were doing was giving background to the whole thing, and we did that fairly.' Politically, she has described herself as 'soft left', with pals in all parties. Late Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy called her a 'fierce foe when the studio lights go on, great fun in the bar'. Late Labour MP Robin Cook MP said at least she let folk answer the question, 'unlike those from the Paxman and Humphrys school'. She herself describes her approach as 'forensic' – certainly leaves blood on the floor sometimes – and contends that she's professional enough to 'leave my own views at the door when I come to work'. Forby politics, she's right arty and, indeed, has written two novels. She presented BBC Two's Late Show from 1990 to 1993 and, in 2006, interviewed playwright Harold Pinter, resisting the temptation to get back at the old scrote by leaving long silences. She made cameo appearances in Doctor Who and Absolutely Fabulous. In 2013, she appeared on the inexplicably popular Great British Bake Off, but has resisted 'many times' invitations to do Strictly Come Dancing, another programme that has sapped the nation's morale. More consequentially, she has highlighted problems of the menopause, believing people are reluctant to discuss it. Moving swiftly on, two months ago she bagged a BAFTA Fellowship, with BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip praising her 'enormous charm and wit'. GA-GA FOR RADIO ALWAYS based in Glasgow, Wark has lately been appearing in BBC Scotland's Good For Her, in a running sketch that follows a woman who can't stop speaking as if she's delivering the news. Kirsty Wark misses the buzz of Newsnight, but is content for the moment presenting arts magazine show Front Row and history series The Reunion on BBC Radio 4. She likes claes and, in 2013, was deemed one of the 50 best-dressed over-50s by fashion magazine, the Guardian. In other news, we can reveal she loves gardening and homemade jam, having spent several years in recovery from an addiction to banana cake. Meanwhile, in the interests of truth, that currently under-rated concept in which she takes such a great interest, I should clarify that, at the start of this authoritative exposé, I was only joking about the cup of tea and a Penguin. It was a Twix.
Sky News AU
13-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Coalition demands Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raise important ‘security issues' in meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
The federal Coalition is demanding Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raise important 'security issues' in his upcoming meeting with China's President. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed in Beijing late on Saturday evening, beginning a six-day visit that will include his fourth meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping. Key figures in the Albanese government have said they hope the trip will lead to a stronger 'economic partnership' with China, which is by far Australia's largest trading partner. The federal Coalition has welcomed the focus on stronger economic ties, but shadow attorney general Julian Leeser stressed the government must raise security issues that continue to be a source of tension between the two countries. 'The relationship with China is very important… It's really important for Australian jobs and the Australian economy that we have a successful trading relationship with China,' Mr Leeser told Sunday Agenda. 'China is our largest trading partner. They're larger in terms of trade, than the next four or five trading partners combined. 'We want to see more markets for Australian goods - like blueberries… so the focus on the economy is very good. 'But we also must make sure that the Prime Minister raises some of the security issues that are part of the relationship.' The shadow minister named a Chinese warship conducting live fire drills in the Tasman Sea earlier this year, as well as the importance of the US presence in the Indo-Pacific, as among the issues the Prime Minister must raise. 'What happened in the Tasman Sea, where we had the Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea in a disrespectful manner, is not on, and it's important that the Prime Minister raise these issues,' he said. 'It's important that the Prime Minister raise the ongoing relationship with the US, and the US's role in the Indo-Pacific, and that he raises the detention and treatment of Australians in Chinese prisons as well. 'Those are issues that are also part of the relationship. So I welcome a focus on trade, but we need to hear a comprehensive discussion between the Prime Minister and President Xi.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers told Sky News Australia the Albanese government had raised issues of disagreement as it worked to stabilise the relationship since taking office. 'We've worked really hard to stabilise this relationship. We've worked through issues in a calm and consistent way without compromising what's important to us,' Mr Chalmers said. 'We've raised issues and complexities when it's been important that we do that. 'But overall, our efforts to stabilise the relationship and now to strengthen that relationship are in the interests of our people and their economy. There couldn't be a more important time to do that. "That's why it's so good that Prime Minister Albanese is engaging with leaders in China, businesses in China, to try and maximise these opportunities that are so central to the relationship." Mr Leeser said he wanted Australia to have a 'good trading relationship with China', but he signalled this was unlikely unless the CCP changed its approach to the rules-based international order. 'I think it's very much in both countries' interests for it to return to those days (during the Howard government), where we had record trade with China and we had a relationship in relation to security and other geostrategic issues that did not concern us. "We want to have an Indo-Pacific where countries abide by the rules-based international order, where no one power is dominant, where there is people playing by the rules of law - that's very, very important. "We've worked through issues in a calm and consistent way without compromising what's important to us," the Treasurer said. "We've raised issues and complexities when it's been important that we do that. But overall, our efforts to stabilise the relationship and now to strengthen that relationship in the interests of our people and their economy, there couldn't be a more important time to do that. "That's why it's so good that Prime Minister Albanese is engaging with leaders in China, businesses in China, to try and maximise these opportunities that are so central to the relationship. 'We want to have a respectful relationship with China, and we want to have a good trading relationship with China. If the People's Republic of China wants to do that with Australia, then we're very much up for that.'
News18
07-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Ricky Hatton, Former World Champion, Announces Comeback Fight After 13-Year Hiatus
Last Updated: Ricky Hatton, 46, will return to the ring in Dubai on Dec. 2, facing Eisa Al-Dah. Retired in 2012, Hatton aims to tap into the growing market for comeback fights. Ricky Hatton, the 46-year-old former two-weight world champion, will make his return to the ring in the United Arab Emirates this December, 13 years after his retirement. The Manchester native, who turns 47 in October, is set to face Eisa Al-Dah in Dubai on Dec. 2, as recently announced. Hatton (45-3) has not fought since his last comeback bout ended in a loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko in November 2012. 'Fight! Fight! Fight! It's official," Hatton posted on X. Fight! Fight! Fight!It's official.2nd December 2025The Agenda, Dubai. #boxing #fight #fighter #event 🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊 — Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) July 6, 2025 He clinched world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight, with his only other two losses coming against pound-for-pound legends Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Hatton is the latest former champion to announce a comeback long after retirement, tapping into a growing market for such events. Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr. and Julio César Chávez Jr. have all made profitable returns to the ring. Al Dah, who is also 46, has not fought since 2021 and has only fought once since 2012. He is determined it will be action-packed. 'It will not be like the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight," Al-Dah said. 'It will be a true fight. True action and I will do my best." Hatton became a British sporting hero after winning epic battles against Kostya Tszyu, José Luis Castillo and Paulie Malignaggi, which earned him clashes with Mayweather and Pacquiao—both of which ended in knockout defeats. He retired for the first time after his brutal second-round knockout defeat against Pacquiao in 2009, only to return more than three years later and fight Ukrainian Senchenko at the Manchester Arena. That fight also ended in defeat with a ninth-round stoppage that left Hatton in tears. Since retiring, Hatton has been training other fighters in his Manchester gym. He expressed hopes that his fight would pave the way for more such events in Dubai. 'There's a market for it," he said, 'and I think it'll be a sensational evening." With AP Inputs First Published:
Bangkok Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand-Cambodia border row goes to UN boss
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it blames Cambodia for breaking its own promise to resolve border issues with Thailand through bilateral mechanisms agreed upon by both countries. Responding to an attempt by Cambodia to take the border dispute to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) after an earlier approach to the International Court of Justic e (ICJ), ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura on Sunday outlined actions the Thai government has taken in response. The diplomatic exchange began when Cambodia's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General on June 16, asking that the matter be circulated as an official UNGA document under Agenda Item 32 of the 79th Session of the UNGA: Prevention of Armed Conflict. Cambodia also indicated its intention to pursue the case through the ICJ. In response, on June 19, Thailand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations submitted a formal letter to the UN Secretary-General, enclosing a statement by the Thai government on the Thailand–Cambodia border situation, dated June 18, said Mr Nikorndej. The document provided a detailed explanation of Thailand's position, actions, and legal basis concerning the issue, reaffirming its adherence to international law and the provisions of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries, he said. The government reiterated that both sides had committed to solving all border-related matters through bilateral negotiations, specifically under the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) framework, which remains binding, he said. Thailand also asked that both the signed letter and statement be circulated as a UNGA document under Agenda Item 32 in the same manner as Cambodia's submission. The UN Secretary-General has now formally registered both Cambodia's and Thailand's letters as requested. "This procedural step effectively circulates both communications to all 193 UN member states, placing each country's position on the record and ensuring the broader international community is informed of the respective stances," he said. The ministry added the 2000 MoU which both countries have signed clearly stipulates that both nations must discuss border issues through the JBC. The MoU does not allow them to use any other mechanisms -- including the ICJ -- and Thailand has always followed the MoU strictly as compliance was in accordance with the principles of international laws and treaties, the ministry said. "Therefore, it is not Thailand that is in violation of the obligations made under international law by using mechanisms outside what was previously agreed upon," the ministry said. Thailand had used the JBC and equivalents to resolve border issues with other neighbouring countries, the ministry said. Its land border negotiations with Laos and Malaysia were 90% completed through their JBC.
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean is reforming the way it trades by increasing using local currencies to ensure stability
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has taken steps to reform the grouping by not only increasing trade among the member countries but also the use of local currencies in trade as a concrete way toward a more stable financial system free of unilateral domination, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. "Of course, we are not talking about de-dollarisation yet, that's still a long way to go. But at least we are trying. Malaysia, together with Indonesia, Thailand, and China, we are beginning to use our currencies, even if it starts with just 10 or 20 per cent of the trade volume. "It makes a difference because we cannot keep complaining without executing our plans, both among ourselves and with our friendly neighbours," he said at the BRICS Business Forum entitled: 'Bridging Continents, Building Future: A Shared Agenda for Sustainable Progress' in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil today. Also present were Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin and Brazilian Confederation of National Industry (CNI) president Ricardo Alban. Anwar stressed that Southeast Asian nations must uphold the principle of centrality, befriending all and supporting just causes, while moving beyond rhetoric, political platitudes and empty statements through concrete action. He also noted that emerging economies are gaining strength in areas such as aviation, technology, artificial intelligence and food innovation. "I believe that this attempt by BRICS will be of some significant success that would alter and cause a change in the course of the history of mankind. "We often discuss similar issues within Asean. We must be cohesive and speak as one based on multilateral arrangements," said Anwar. The Prime Minister also emphasised that BRICS and Asean members must continue to strengthen strategic cooperation, including enhancing cross-regional trade and investment for the shared benefit of developing countries.
