The battle for the truth Who fought for victims and who failed them?

Successive governments are primarily to blame for the catalogue of \"systemic, collective and individual failures\" that allowed the infected blood scandal to happen, though \"others share some of it\", wrote Sir Brian Langstaff.

Critical moment Raisi's death puts election process into the spotlight

The sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi means the Iranian regime unexpectedly finds itself faced with having to hold elections to appoint a successor.

Sunak apology for 'decades-long moral failure' of British state

Rishi Sunak declared yesterday a \"day of shame for the British state\" as he apologised for the failures of successive governments over the infected blood scandal and promised to pay whatever it takes to compensate the victims.

New cougar seen in Los Angeles year after celebrity big cat's death

It has been more than a year since the death of P-22, a beloved Los Angeles cougar known as the \"Brad Pitt of mountain lions\", whose passing inspired murals, songs and celebrations across the city.

Aid operations UN says 1.1m face famine after supplies slow to trickle

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is likely to worsen again as deliveries of aid and fuel to the Palestinian territory slow to a trickle in the wake of Israel's two-week-old ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah.

Climate Big claims - but policies came up short

Every time a minister is asked about the climate crisis, the answer is the same.

McKenna's suitors ready to fight for humble but world-class coach

Northern Irishman works in a nourishing environment at Ipswich, but might Chelsea or Brighton tempt him away?

Maresca enters race Chelsea eye Leicester coach with McKenna in demand

Chelsea have intensified their search for Mauricio Pochettino's replacement by making checks on Leicester's Enzo Maresca, but candidates for the job believe that Ipswich's Kieran McKenna is the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Supporters want women's own football TV slot, survey reveals

Fans also raise concerns over concentration of power at top of the Women's Super League

Lookman's triple treat for Atalanta brings down Leverkusen

Nothing, not the Roman Empire, not the Zhou dynasty, not even Last of the Summer Wine, lasts forever, and neither did Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run.

British Olympic breaststroke champion Wilkie dies aged 70

The British Olympic swimming champion David Wilkie has died at the age of 70.

M&S boss heralds growth for 'years to come' as a million new shoppers boost profits

The boss of Marks & Spencer says he is hopeful of a \"growth story for years to come\" after the revitalised retailer won over 1 million more shoppers to boost profits by 41%.

Iranians gather for funeral of president killed in air crash

Tens of thousands of Iranians attended the funeral yesterday of the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a helicopter accident on a fog-shrouded mountain on Sunday has opened up a potentially volatile moment in Iranian politics.

'Old rules are destroyed' As bombs fall, Kharkiv tends its flowerbeds and forges new bonds

Under the late spring sun on Saturday afternoon, these were some of the sounds to be heard in Kharkiv's Shevchenko Park: birds chirruping; young couples laughing over iced coffees; tinny pop music playing from speakers mounted on lampposts; pensioners gossiping on the benches; and, at 11 minutes to three, a prolonged explosion that reverberated in the chest like a rumble of thunder.

Far right divided before EU vote as German MEP quits over SS comments

The lead candidate for Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in the European parliamentary election has resigned from the German far-right party's leadership as growing divisions between Europe's nationalist parties threaten to undermine their expected gains in next month's ballot.

Nursery worker given 14-year jail term for killing baby

A \"callous\" nursery worker has been jailed for 14 years for killing a nine-month-old girl who was strapped face down to a beanbag for more than 90 minutes.

Commons hails MP who lost his hands and feet to sepsis

Craig Mackinlay, the Conservative MP who had his hands and feet amputated last year owing to sepsis, has returned to the Commons chamber for the first time since his illness, receiving a standing ovation from fellow MPs as well as tributes from Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.

Israel condemns Ireland, Norway and Spain for recognising Palestinian state

Ireland, Spain and Norway have announced they will formally recognise a Palestinian state on 28 May, triggering an immediate response from Israel, which said it would retaliate by recalling its ambassadors from Dublin, Madrid and Oslo, and withholding vital funds from the Palestinian Authority.

Vennells in tears as she tells inquiry she was misled in Post Office scandal

The former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells repeatedly broke down in tears yesterday as she told a public inquiry she had been misled by her staff about the safety of the prosecutions of branch operators.

Labour puts its faith in opinion polls and spread of votes across the country

On the day Rishi Sunak called a general election for 4 July, the Conservatives were trailing Labour by nearly 22 points in the polls.

Providing epidural during childbirth may cut risk of major complications by 35%

Having an epidural during labour can reduce the risk of serious childbirth complications by 35%, according to research that suggests expanding access to the treatment may improve maternal health.

Why now? Sunak hoping scrutiny of Labour plans will limit Tory damage

Rishi Sunak took the final decision to call a summer election on two key statistics – a drop in inflation and falling net migration – but Tory insiders also hope that the surprise July poll will put new scrutiny on Labour’s plans.

'More disgust at Tories' Starmer expected to win despite low ratings

Keir Starmer goes into the general election widely expected to emerge as prime minister, despite being only roughly as personally popular as Ed Miliband was at the time of the 2015 election.

Sunak's big gamble

Prime minister calls a surprise general election for 4 July as Tory party trails in polling

Goodbye blues Pochettino out the door as Chelsea focus on McKenna

Chelsea are prepared to rival Brighton for the appointment of Ipswich's Kieran McKenna after reaching an agreement to part company with Mauricio Pochettino by mutual consent last night.

Wharton's call-up is a credit to flying Eagles

Midfielder only made his Premier League debut in February but has flourished under new Palace manager

Buttler embraces new World Cup chapter after pride was dented

Jos Buttler has admitted pride was dented by England's limp 50-over World Cup campaign last year, with the captain identifying the need for better communication and a more team-first mentality when his men defend their T20 title over the coming weeks.

'Just the beginning' After Wagner, Russia looks to increase its influence in Africa

On 3 May, as top US officials confirmed the presence of Russian security forces at the same airbase as American troops in Niger, a popular Telegram channel reportedly run by Moscow-based officials posted a message with an audio clip of the Soviet-era rock band Nautilus Pompilius's 1985 cult song Goodbye America.

Widescale protests mark first day of new Taiwan president

Lai Ching-te's first day as president of Taiwan has been marked by large protests against the opposition over a controversial bill in parliament, foreshadowing a difficult first term for the leader, who lacks a legislative majority.

Georgia's foreign agents law 'could be ditched' if US agrees trade deal

A \"foreign agents\" law that has brought hundreds of thousands of people on to the streets of Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, could be dropped in return for a package of economic and security support from Washington, the ruling party hinted yesterday.