Beslan, where the Russian authorities stopped live coverage of the school being stormed, was an illustration of the progress we still have to make.

I've never been one to sit around and eat my heart out. Life's too short.

No two wars are identical.

I was timid and frightened as a child. Yours truly did not shin up mountains or do any other kind of adventurous stuff.

I don't want to be involved in endless media gossip.

Hair is also a problem. I remember once, when I was reporting from Beirut at the height of the civil war, someone wrote in to the BBC complaining about my appearance.

Having had loving people who brought me up, and then I find another set of people. That really is a double blessing.