Latest news with #Soviet-AfghanWar
STV News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Legendary ITV News presenter Sandy Gall dies aged 97
ITV News Europe Editor James Mates looks back at Sandy Gall's legendary career The veteran broadcaster and journalist Sandy Gall has died aged 97, his family has confirmed. Gall became one of the most familiar faces in the country, firstly as a foreign correspondent for ITN, before becoming co-presenter of News at Ten. His family revealed he died at his home in Kent on Sunday, and paid tribute to him saying: 'His was a great life, generously and courageously lived.' Gall's career in journalism spanned more than 50 years, starting in 1952 when he joined the Aberdeen Press and Journal. Gall became a household name as co-presenter of News at Ten / Credit: ITV News He then worked at Reuters news agency for ten years as a foreign correspondent, before joining ITN in 1963. It was at ITN where he was to become a household name in the UK, until his retirement from the broadcaster in 1992. One of his first assignments with ITN was in Dallas, Texas just hours after the assassination of President Kennedy. Sandy Gall reporting on the Soviet-Afghan War in 1989. / Credit: ITV News His time at ITN saw him cover some of the 20th century's biggest stories, such as the Vietnam War, the Soviet-Afghan War and America's civil rights movement, where he interviewed Martin Luther King in 1965. He was also one of the few journalists to remain in Vietnam after the victory of the North Vietnamese to cover the fall of Saigon in 1975. Paying tribute, his former colleague at ITN John Suchet said: 'One of the loveliest things about Sandy was that he was really happy to pass on his knowledge to us juniors, who were desperate to do well. 'A gentleman, a true gentleman, that's what the obits will say about him. 'His name will always be associated with those big stories the fall of Saigon, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. 'Things move on but when the history books are written, his name will be there.' Sandy Gall interviewing Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. / Credit: ITV News Gall went on to co-present News At Ten in 1970, which was then the UK's most watched news programme. He made his final presenting appearance on News at Ten in 1991, before returning to work with the company as a special reporter until his final retirement in 1992. He later became the founder and chairman of Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal, a charity for disabled Afghans that ran for nearly 40 years. It began with a focus on treating Afghans with war-related casualties and land mine victims, as well as children in refugee camps. This focus widened, as the rehabilitation needs of many other people with disabilities became apparent. Sandy was awarded a CBE in 1987 and Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2011. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Sandy Gall dead at 97 as tributes pour in for ITV News at Ten presenter
Sandy Gall, the veteran ITN news presenter and former News at Ten co-presenter, has died at the age of 97, his family have confirmed as they paid tribute to the legendary broadcaster. ITV News at Ten presenter and veteran journalist Sandy Gall has passed died at the age of 97. In a statement from his heartbroken family, they said: "His was a great life, generously and courageously lived." They revealed to ITV that Sandy passed away on June 29 at his home in Kent. Former coworker Alastair Stewart shared his respects on social media, writing: "RIP the great Sandy GALL CMG, CBE - a giant from the good days of ITN- reporter and presenter. "What a loss in Sandy Gall's death a brilliant reporter and presenter and a thoroughly nice man." Fans shared their condolences on the post; one wrote: "Very sad news to hear about Sandy. He will be sorely missed by those who remember him fondly as a friend, father and colleague. My condolences go to his family." Another lamented the loss, stating: "One of the best from a time when the industry was admired, but most of all, believed and trusted. Sad news." A third reminisced: "He was part of my childhood. RIP Sandy." Having become one of Britain's most recognised broadcasters, Gall made his name initially as a foreign correspondent for ITN and later as the co-presenter of News at Ten, reports the Mirror. With a career that spanned over half a century, he started out at Aberdeen Press and Journal. Subsequently, he served a ten-year stint as a foreign correspondent with Reuters news agency, then joined ITN in 1963, quickly rising to become a familiar figure across the nation. Gall remained with the network until he hung up his hat in 1992. His extensive career as a reporter and broadcaster saw him traverse the globe to report on some of the most monumental historical events of the 20th century. One of his initial assignments with ITN took place in Dallas, Texas, mere hours after President Kennedy was assassinated. Throughout his career, he reported on significant global events such as the Vietnam War, the Soviet-Afghan War and America's civil rights movement, even securing an interview with Martin Luther King in 1965. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He was also among the handful of journalists who stayed behind in Vietnam to cover the fall of Saigon in 1975, following the North Vietnamese victory. Gall went on to present ITV's News at Ten in 1970, which was the UK's most watched news programme at the time. He made his final appearance on the programme in 1991. However, he returned to the company as a special reporter until his final retirement a year later. Gall went on to become a founder and chairman of Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal, a charity for disabled Afghans that ran for nearly 40 years. The charity treated Afghans with war-related injuries, as well as children in refugee camps. As the time passed, the focus widened to people help many other people. Gall was awarded a CBE in 1987 and a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2011.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV News at Ten legend dies as colleagues pay tribute to broadcaster
Renowned broadcaster and journalist Sandy Gall has passed away at the age of 97, his family confirmed. In a statement honouring the esteemed presenter, his family said: "His was a great life, generously and courageously lived." They revealed to ITV that Sandy passed away on Sunday at his home in Kent. Former coworker Alastair Stewart shared his respects on social media, writing: "RIP the great Sandy GALL CMG, CBE - a giant from the good days of ITN- reporter and presenter." He further noted: "What a loss in Sandy Gall's death a brilliant reporter and presenter and a thoroughly nice man.", reports the Express. Fans shared their condolences on the post; one wrote: "Very sad news to hear about Sandy. He will be sorely missed by those who remember him fondly as a friend, father and colleague. My condolences go to his family." Another lamented the loss, stating: "One of the best from a time when the industry was admired, but most of all, believed and trusted. Sad news." A third reminisced: "He was part of my childhood. RIP Sandy." Having become one of Britain's most recognised broadcasters, Gall made his name initially as a foreign correspondent for ITN and later as the co-presenter of News at Ten. With a career that spanned over half a century, he started out at Aberdeen Press and Journal. Subsequently, he served a ten-year stint as a foreign correspondent with Reuters news agency, then joined ITN in 1963, quickly rising to become a familiar figure across the nation. Gall remained with the network until he hung up his hat in 1992. His extensive career as a reporter and broadcaster saw him traverse the globe to report on some of the most monumental historical events of the 20th century. One of his initial assignments with ITN took place in Dallas, Texas, mere hours after President Kennedy was assassinated. Throughout his career, he reported on significant global events such as the Vietnam War, the Soviet-Afghan War and America's civil rights movement, even securing an interview with Martin Luther King in 1965. He was also among the handful of journalists who stayed behind in Vietnam to cover the fall of Saigon in 1975, following the North Vietnamese victory.
ITV News
6 days ago
- General
- ITV News
Legendary ITV News presenter Sandy Gall dies aged 97
ITV News Europe Editor James Mates looks back at Sandy Gall's legendary career. The veteran broadcaster and journalist Sandy Gall has died aged 97, his family has confirmed. Gall became one of the most familiar faces in the country, firstly as a foreign correspondent for ITN, before becoming co-presenter of News at Ten. His family revealed he died at his home in Kent on Sunday, and paid tribute to him saying: 'His was a great life, generously and courageously lived." Gall's career in journalism spanned more than 50 years, starting in 1952 when he joined the Aberdeen Press and Journal. He then worked at Reuters news agency for ten years as a foreign correspondent, before joining ITN in 1963. It was at ITN where he was to become a household name in the UK, until his retirement from the broadcaster in 1992. One of his first assignments with ITN was in Dallas, Texas just hours after the assassination of President Kennedy. His time at ITN saw him cover some of the 20th century's biggest stories, such as the Vietnam War, the Soviet-Afghan War and America's civil rights movement, where he interviewed Martin Luther King in 1965. He was also one of the few journalists to remain in Vietnam after the victory of the North Vietnamese to cover the fall of Saigon in 1975. Gall went on to co-present News At Ten in 1970, which was then the UK's most watched news programme. He made his final presenting appearance on News at Ten in 1991, before returning to work with the company as a special reporter until his final retirement in 1992. He later became the founder and chairman of Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal, a charity for disabled Afghans that ran for nearly 40 years. It began with a focus on treating Afghans with war-related casualties and land mine victims, as well as children in refugee camps. This focus widened, as the rehabilitation needs of many other people with disabilities became apparent. Sandy was awarded a CBE in 1987 and Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2011.
Observer
23-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
The attrition of Russia
In the late 1970s, the Soviet Union launched a decade-long war in Afghanistan that would cost it 15,000 lives and contribute to its eventual implosion. Nearly a half-century later, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his own war, against Ukraine, and this one has cost his side at least 250,000 lives in the three years since the full-scale invasion began. At this rate, if Putin's invasion lasts as long as Leonid Brezhnev's Soviet-Afghan War, Russian casualties will be over 55 times greater — and Russia's population today is just over half that of the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, with 45 countries across three continents maintaining sanctions against Russia, the consequences have not been confined to Russia and Ukraine. We know that within Russia, the war has brought something resembling a 1930s-style fascist regime, though the Kremlin is relying on financial inducements, not just conscription, to feed the meat grinder. In the Samara region, the signing bonus for anyone who agrees to fight reached a record $40,000 in January. Obviously, such large payments for military service in Ukraine reflect growing reluctance on the part of would-be soldiers. While former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reports that 175,000 men have signed up for the army in the first five months of this year, Mediazona estimates that 51,000 Russians died on the battlefield just in the second half of 2024. Perhaps Putin will still be able to recruit more than 30,000 per month, or perhaps not. In Samara, the bonus hike was reminiscent of how some gyms market memberships: the best perks were valid only for those who signed up by February 1. Presumably, Putin has offered to reward regional governors for high recruitment figures. But if regional administrations are raising signing bonuses only to cut them soon thereafter, one can infer that the costs are becoming unsustainable. Since June 5, the bonus for 'volunteers' in Bashkortostan, located between the Volga River and the Ural Mountains, has been reduced from $20,400 to $12,700; in the Belgorod Oblast near Ukraine, it was cut from $38,200 to $10,200 in January (after a three-month 'promotion'). Throughout Russia, flat-rate federal signing bonuses for prison inmates were cancelled in January. The need to increase payments reflects Russians' growing recognition of the odds of dying in Ukraine. In provincial areas such as Kurgan, located where the Urals and Siberia meet, cemeteries are being expanded. Nationwide, the 'exit' bonus for dead soldiers' families has nearly doubled, from the equivalent of about $95,000 to $176,000. Again, the recent cuts in signing bonuses suggest that the system is under financial pressure. After all, Russia has been selling oil, its main revenue source, for roughly $50 per barrel, or 25 per cent, below the price originally estimated in its 2025 budget. Still, Putin will likely avoid another mobilisation of conscripts. When he tried that in September 2022, public support for his 'special military operation' seemed to take a hit. He also undoubtedly remembers the Soviet misadventure in Afghanistan. The reason those 15,000 fallen soldiers mattered so much politically was that most of them had never chosen to go fight. Moreover, they were drafted not only from the Soviet periphery but also from Moscow and St. Petersburg, where the losses affected cultural elites, undermining the system's credibility. To avoid repeating these mistakes, Putin has relied on more subtle forms of coercion. For example, last month, Yakutia, located in the Russian far east, reportedly held a 'Change Your Life' day to recruit local homeless men for the front lines. The courts are also playing a role. 'I have followed hundreds of interviews with prisoners of war, obituaries, stories of soldiers among my acquaintances and family,' the exiled dissident Maria Vyushkova told me. 'In recent weeks, I have come across three similar cases: men who ended up on trial for minor offences and were pushed by judges to join the army under the threat of heavy sentences.' One of them, a 45-year-old from Ulan-Ude, south of Lake Baikal, was on trial last year for causing a traffic accident; the court offered to convert his sentence into a contract as a truck driver in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Donbas region. He eventually ended up as a Ukrainian prisoner of war. Russia has long used similar tricks to lure Kazakh or Nepalese migrants to the front lines. But now, it is Russians who are being targeted. Job vacancies for 'drivers,' 'security guards,' and 'construction workers' in active combat zones have been cropping up everywhere – an obvious ruse to hide the war's brutal reality. Meanwhile, the average age of new recruits is rising, with men over 60 joining those on the front line. Even authorised media outlets report cases of wounded soldiers being savagely beaten if they refuse to return to the front before fully recovering. In May, Russian soldiers on Telegram reported that their commander had sent men on crutches into battle. Earlier in the war, Russia's wounded at least got time to recover; no longer. With 23,000 armoured vehicles lost, mules are now being used to transport materiel. Despite the cracks that are beginning to show, Putin seems no closer to accepting a truce. On the contrary, his aggression is becoming even more indiscriminate and violent. Most likely, he simply does not get it. Bad news does not necessarily reach him, since subordinates protect themselves by withholding it. Ironically, Russia's military problems confirm the Kremlin's total identification with war. Russia has been at war for 19 of Putin's 21 years as president. Bent on revising the European order that emerged after the Soviet Union's collapse, Putin has created a regime that is willing to make choices that appear senseless to democratic societies. His war of attrition is therefore bound to continue. With US support for Ukraine dwindling, Europe needs to do more to widen the cracks in the foundation of Putin's praetorian regime. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2025. Federico Fubini An editor-at-large at Corriere della Sera, is the author, most recently, of Sul Vulcano (Longanesi, 2020)
