Connect with us

Published

on

Nicola Sturgeon has urged the SNP candidates vying to succeed her as first minister to “protect the ingredients of success” – telling Sky News the leadership contest so far has been “a less than edifying process”. 

In a Beth Rigby interview due to air at 9pm on Sky News, Ms Sturgeon acknowledged the turmoil in her party following a dramatic weekend which saw her husband quit as chief executive amid a row about transparency.

But she said she did not regret her decision to stand down, saying after eight years as leader she had become so dominant in Scottish politics she was becoming a “barrier to succession”.

“I wouldn’t be standing down if I didn’t think that was necessary after 16 years in government, but also protecting the ingredients of our phenomenal electoral success,” Ms Sturgeon said.

Ms Sturgeon urged those vying to replace her “not to throw the baby out with the bathwater”, amid criticism of the candidates and a significant fall in paid-up support, with the loss of about 30,000 members since 2021.

“I’m not suggesting that this is not a difficult process and at times, it has been a less than edifying process,” she said.

“And what I’d say to all of those standing to succeed me as leader… is remember that I am standing down from a party that hasn’t lost an election in Scotland since 2010.

More on Nicola Sturgeon

“This is a moment for refresh, renewal, change, but let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We have the trust of the people of Scotland and we’ve got to make sure we retain that trust.”

Sturgeon ‘has not been contacted by police over SNP probe’

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon with husband Peter Murrell as they cast their votes in the 2019 General Election at Broomhouse Park Community Hall in Glasgow.
Image:
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon with husband Peter Murrell

In one of her last interviews as the country’s leader, Ms Sturgeon also told Sky News she has not heard whether police want to interview her or her husband as part of a long-running probe into SNP finances.

Peter Murrell, who had been the party’s chief executive since 1999, quit on Saturday after claims he misled the press over membership numbers.

Asked if she had heard whether she or her husband will be interviewed by police, Ms Sturgeon responded: “No. I wouldn’t comment on any ongoing police investigation and I am not going to comment on this one.”

The SNP has previously denied any wrongdoing around party finances.

Sturgeon ‘doesn’t regret’ gender reforms

Ms Sturgeon insisted the probe did not play any part in her sudden resignation last month – saying it was a mix of personal and political reasons.

And she said she “doesn’t regret” pushing forward with her gender recognition bill – which critics have suggested is what brought her down.

“The threat to women are abusive and predatory men, not trans people. So I don’t regret taking on that issue,” she said.

“My regret is that I wasn’t able to take the debate and discourse around it, into a more rational place

“That’s part of what I’ve been saying here. Maybe I’ve been in politics too long now to be able to do that as effectively as I need to.”

The outgoing first minister added that she had received “more toxic abuse on this issue, much of it from women claiming to care about women’s rights and women’s safety than I have on probably any other issue”.

“I’ve never doubted I’m doing the right thing”

Reflecting on her last few weeks in office, Ms Sturgeon said she had “mixed emotions” but said “I’ve never doubted that I’m doing the right thing. And that’s in my core. I feel that in my gut”.

Asked if she could have stayed on until the next general election she replied: “Yeah, I could have done but at what cost to myself?”

She said that in politics “maybe because it’s tended to be more men than women doing it, there has been a tendency to cling on” and she did not want to do that.

“I think anybody should only ever do a job like this if you can give it everything and that’s not just 100% of your work – a job like this you should give everything of yourself. You’re never off duty.

“I’m not complaining about this, it is part and parcel of what the job is about. I can’t just open my door and go for a walk with a friend on a Saturday morning, I can’t just go for coffee.

“All the things people take for granted are not there for you. and I think there is only so long anybody can and should do that.”

Continue Reading

World

From Gere to Gaga: The best celebrity looks created by Giorgio Armani

Published

on

By

From Gere to Gaga: The best celebrity looks created by Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, known for ready-to-wear fashion and staple suits, has died.

The 91-year-old started the fashion house in 1975 with his partner Sergio Galeotti, but it is the 1980 classic film American Gigolo that is credited with launching Armani’s career.

He designed the wardrobe for the film’s star, Richard Gere, who was launched into the spotlight as America’s new favourite heart throb, and Armani as one of the most popular designers. Over his career, he earned over 200 wardrobe credits.

Giorgio Armani latest: Follow live updates

As well as dressing actors on screen, red carpets were filled with Armani’s tailored black tie outfits and evening gowns, with everyone from Jodie Foster, Beyonce and Diane Keaton wearing his designs.

Here, we look at some of Armani’s iconic looks created for both the big screen and the red carpet.

Diane Keaton (centre) wearing an Armani men's suit jacket at the 1978 Academy Awards. Pic: AP
Image:
Diane Keaton (centre) wearing an Armani men’s suit jacket at the 1978 Academy Awards. Pic: AP

Diane Keaton wore a custom double-breasted jacket to the 1978 Academy Awards, where she won Best Actress for her performance in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy Annie Hall.

Richard Gere in American Gigolo. Pic THA/Shutterstock
Image:
Richard Gere in American Gigolo. Pic THA/Shutterstock


Richard Gere stars in American Gigolo. The suits made by Armani were originally for John Travolta, who later dropped out of the film and was replaced by Gere.

Grace Jones wears an Armani blazer on the cover of the album Nightclubbing. Pic: AP
Image:
Grace Jones wears an Armani blazer on the cover of the album Nightclubbing. Pic: AP

Grace Jones wore a man’s wide-shouldered Armani blazer on the cover of the 1981 album Nightclubbing.

Julia Roberts wearing an Armani men's suit at the 1990 Golden Globes. Pic: AP
Image:
Julia Roberts wearing an Armani men’s suit at the 1990 Golden Globes. Pic: AP

Julia Roberts wore an oversized men’s Armani suit at the 1990 Golden Globes. The look has become iconic in fashion history as the actress stepped away from wearing the conventional ballgown.

Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci in Goodfellas in 1990. Pic: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
Image:
Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci in Goodfellas in 1990. Pic: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Armani collaborated with Goodfellas director Martin Scorsese to create suits for Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci in the 1990 classic film.

Actress Jodie Foster at the 1992 Oscars. Pic: AP
Image:
Actress Jodie Foster at the 1992 Oscars. Pic: AP

Jodie Foster wore an Armani suit at the 1992 Academy Awards, where she won Best Actress for The Silence Of The Lambs.

Armani designed Katie Holmes' wedding dress when she married Tom Cruise in 2006. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Armani designed Katie Holmes’ wedding dress when she married Tom Cruise in 2006. Pic: Reuters

When Tom Cruise tied the knot with actress Katie Holmes in 2006, it was Armani who was tasked with creating her wedding dress.

Beyonce at the American Music Awards in 2008 wearing custom Armani. Pic: AP
Image:
Beyonce at the American Music Awards in 2008 wearing custom Armani. Pic: AP

Performing her hit song All The Single Ladies at the 2008 American Music Awards, Beyonce wore a custom Armani bodysuit.

David and Victoria Beckham wearing Giorgio Armani at the 2008 Met Gala. Pic: AP
Image:
David and Victoria Beckham wearing Giorgio Armani at the 2008 Met Gala. Pic: AP

David and Victoria Beckham wore Armani at the 2008 Met Gala in New York. The theme was superheroes: fashion and fantasy and Armani co-chaired the gala that year.

Lady Gaga at the Grammys in 2010. Pic: AP
Image:
Lady Gaga at the Grammys in 2010. Pic: AP

Lady Gaga wore a galactic-inspired dress at the 2010 Grammy Awards, which was part of Giorgio Armani Prive – the designer’s haute couture collection. The outfit turned heads as it was unlike Armani’s typical styles.

Demi Moore at the 2025 Golden Globes. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Demi Moore at the 2025 Golden Globes. Pic: Reuters

Demi Moore wore a sculpted gold gown at this year’s Golden Globes, where she won Best Performance by a Female Actor for her role in The Substance.

Continue Reading

World

Taliban reports sharp rise in death toll following earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, as aid agencies issue warning

Published

on

By

Taliban reports sharp rise in death toll following earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, as aid agencies issue warning

The number of people killed following a deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen sharply to 2,205, according to the Taliban government.

The increase, from more than 1,400 deaths reported on Tuesday, coincides with rescuers being hampered by harsh weather and rugged terrain, while aid agencies warned of dwindling resources.

The 6.0 magnitude quake struck several provinces in a mountainous and remote area of the country near the Pakistan border, at around 11.47pm (8.17pm UK time) on Sunday.

Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquake in years levelled villages, destroying thousands of homes, and trapping people under rubble. At least 3,640 people have been injured.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Afghans search for survivors after earthquake

The majority of casualties have been in Kunar, where many live in steep river valleys separated by high mountains.

Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said rescue and search efforts were continuing: “Tents have been set up for people, and the delivery of first aid and emergency supplies is ongoing.”

More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed, authorities have said.

More on Afghanistan

But while officials have deployed helicopters and airdropped army commandos to help survivors, the rough terrain is hindering relief efforts.

Tough terrain is hindering relief efforts. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Tough terrain is hindering relief efforts. Pic: Reuters

Aid workers have reported walking for hours to reach villages cut off by landslides and rockfall.

Afghanistan was already struggling with the impact of climate change, particularly drought, a weak economy and the return of some two million Afghans from neighbouring countries.

Sunday’s earthquake is the third to devastate the country since the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Livestock are left to shelter inside a damaged house. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Livestock are left to shelter inside a damaged house. Pic: Reuters

On Wednesday, the defence ministry said the Afghan air force moved more than 1,900 people in 155 flights over two days, and delivered 10,000kg of supplies across the region.

The UK has pledged £1m in emergency funding to be split between humanitarian agencies instead of the Taliban government, which the UK does not recognise.

Injured Afghans have been evacuated to a hospital in Jalalabad. Pic: AP
Image:
Injured Afghans have been evacuated to a hospital in Jalalabad. Pic: AP

Read more from Sky News:
Women more at risk after quake
6.1-magnitude quake hits Turkey
Relocating Afghans to cost over £2bn

Humanitarian needs are “vast and growing rapidly”, said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies.

“Up to 84,000 people are directly and indirectly affected, with thousands displaced,” it added.

In some of the worst-affected villages in Kunar province, two in three people had been killed or injured, while 98% of buildings were either destroyed or damaged by the tremors, according to an assessment by British-based charity Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Follow The World
Follow The World

Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday

Tap to follow

The Norwegian Refugee Council said it had fewer than 450 staff in Afghanistan, no emergency stock and an urgent need for funds.

“We have only $100,000 (£74,500) available to support emergency response efforts. This leaves an immediate funding gap of $1.9 million (£1.42m),” said Maisam Shafiey, from the humanitarian organisation.

Continue Reading

World

China’s Xi believes in destiny – and it’s bad news for the West

Published

on

By

China's Xi believes in destiny - and it's bad news for the West

China put on a show of military strength and diplomatic pulling power in Beijing this week that should worry us all.

At the heart of it was one all-powerful man.

Xi Jinping is emerging as the emperor of a rising China bent on reshaping the world in its image.

He wears the garb of his communist forebears, but he is much more than just another heir to Chairman Mao.

Xi increasingly has more in common with China’s imperial past.

He has disposed of rivals and term-limit rules, making him potentially ruler for life.

Xi believes it is China’s destiny to return to its rightful place as the centre of the world. A new world order dominated by China is approaching he believes, hastened by the Trump administration’s willingness to dismantle the current Pax Americana and western disarray over Ukraine.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Chinese weapons that will worry America

China has a right to assert itself more robustly on the world stage, of course, but it’s the manner of that assertion and the risks of collision with the West that should give cause for concern.

Xi has ruthlessly crushed dissent at home with quasi genocidal repression in Xinjiang, a cultural holocaust in Tibet and brutal suppression of human rights in Hong Kong.

Next in his sights is Taiwan. It is claimed by the Chinese communists as part of their One China project.

That opens up one fault line between Xi’s rising China and Western nations.

China’s more and more open support of Putin’s war in Ukraine is of course another.

Western impotence and failure to bring enough pressure on Russia to end the conflict has allowed it to metastasize into a much bigger one.

Read more from Sky News:
Xi presents his vision of the future
Who is Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo Jong

The three autocrat amigos in Beijing on Wednesday. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The three autocrat amigos in Beijing on Wednesday. Pic: Reuters

On one side in the East, authoritarian governments lining up to support Russia. And on the other, democratic countries supporting Ukraine.

This week’s jamboree of autocrats in Beijing seems to have tipped things more in their favour. Good news for regimes using Orwellian surveillance, censorship, and repression to control their people and keep a grip on power.

Bad news for the rest of us who prefer a future organised around democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

Dictators rejoice. Democrats beware.

Continue Reading

Trending