Talk of the Town: Salmond hailed best energy economist

UK Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne was duly apologetic when he arrived 25 minutes late for his encounter with the Scottish Parliament's energy committee yesterday thanks to a delayed flight from London to Edinburgh.

But he added: "Fortunately I'm not as late as I was for (last month's climate change summit in] Cancun, when they managed to delay the flight for a whole day."

When he got down to talking to MSPs about UK energy policy, Mr Huhne offered unsolicited praise for Alex Salmond.

Recalling his time as a financial journalist, he said: "That's when I first became acquainted with the expertise of one of Britain's best energy economists, now doubling up as the First Minister."

Help Gail take the plunge for Marie Curie Cancer Care

TV presenter Gail Porter will be making a splash with her next venture - this year's Swimathon.

Edinburgh-born Gail is urging people to take the plunge for the event, which raises money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Swimathon Foundation.

Gail, whose mum and grandmother both received care from Marie Curie nurses before they died of cancer, is scouring the country for fundraisers, who can swim 1.5km, 2.5km or 5km.

If you think you can go the distance, see www.swimathon.org or call 0845 36 700 36.

Spam has gone down pan

EVERYONE'S used to receiving e-mail spam, and we all know to delete the offers of great riches held on our behalf in a Nigerian prince's bank account.

The standard of spam seems to be slipping, however, with an Evening News reporter this week receiving a far less tempting business proposition by e-mail.

It reads: "With regards to your Company i am sending this e-mail regards to order some (Portable Toilets), i will like to know the type and sizes you have in stock and get me the sales price of one so that i will tell you the quantity i will be ordering, and also if you accept credit card as a form of payment."

We're starting to feel nostalgic for the Nigerian prince.

Gadget charges to rescue

IT'S happened to us all at some point - your phone battery running out at a really important time.

And according to new research more than 65 per cent of people have fallen foul of the dreaded dead battery. The survey also revealed the average home has seven chargers lying around.

Who's behind the survey? A maker of a new gadget which powers several chargers at once.